• Journos write to HRCSL seeking probe into Sampur’s ‘anti-kanji’ cops 

The Sri Lanka Young Journalists' Association (SLYJA) urged the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) to initiate an urgent investigation into the actions of the Police and its officers for disrupting and arresting a group of people who allegedly distributed kanji (porridge) in memory of their deceased relatives in Sampur.

Writing a letter to the HRCSL Chairperson L.T.B. Dehideniya, the SLYJA President Tharindu Jayawardhana demanded to take actions against the Police officers in question under the Constitution, and for it to be ruled that Fundamental Rights (FR) protected by the Constitution have been violated. The letter further reads that the SLYJA requests the HRCSL to instruct the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the National Police Commission (NPC) to recommend disciplinary action against all officers who have violated or aided or abetted the violation of FRs. Requesting the HRCSL to issue appropriate recommendations to stop the Police from interfering with commemorations in other areas, the SLYJA called for an urgent inquiry into the non-implementation of the previous recommendations given by the HRCSL. 

“Despite the HRCSL’s 2016 recommendation to uphold the right to commemoration, the Police is obstructing these peaceful commemorations by obtaining Court orders. The Police has clearly neglected these recommendations. The individuals arrested yesterday have been remanded, with the Police stating that they will investigate whether an offence under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Act has been committed. We request the HRCSL to provide recommendations to the President and the Prime Minister to ensure the right to remembrance,” the letter read.

Last week, four individuals were arrested by the Police in Sampur for allegedly distributing porridge in memory of their deceased relatives. According to reports, after distributing the porridge, they were forcibly taken to the Police station by officers who arrived at their homes in the night. The Police had obtained Court orders prohibiting the distribution of kanji, and there have been several similar instances in the past.

Meanwhile, a demonstration was held yesterday (15) in front of the Police Headquarters, demanding the release of the arrested individuals. It has been organised by a number of civil society organisations representing human rights activists, lawyers, and the families of disappeared people.