DOCSLIB.ORG

PDF of Constitution As Amended to 9 September 2010

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
PDF of Constitution As Amended to 9 September 2010 THE CONSTITUTION OF THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF SRI LANKA (AS AMENDED UP TO 09th SEPTEMBER, 2010) Revised Edition – 2011 Published by the Parliament Secretariat Printed at the Department of Government Printing, Sri Lanka. i THE CONSTITUTION OF THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF SRI LANKA (AS AMENDED UP TO 09th SEPTEMBER 2010) Revised Edition - 2011 Published by the Parliament Secretariat 2 - PL 005345 ii Revised Edition — 2011 PL 005345 - 500 (2010/12) iii This unofficial edition edited by the Bills office of the Department of Legislative Services of Parliament of Sri Lanka reproduces the text of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka as amended by Parliament from time to time up to the Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution. The footnotes below the text indicate the particular Amendments to the Constitution by which such amendments have been made. iv The Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka The Constitution of the Democratic Socialist v Republic of Sri Lanka CONTENTS Page Preamble ............................................................................................................................. xvi CHAPTER - I THE PEOPLE, THE STATE AND SOVEREIGNTY Article 1 The State ....................................................................................................................... 01 2 Unitary State ................................................................................................................ 01 3 Sovereignty of the People .......................................................................................... 01 4 Exercise of Sovereignty............................................................................................... 01 5 Territory of the Republic ............................................................................................ 02 6 The National Flag ........................................................................................................ 02 7 The National Anthem .................................................................................................. 02 8 The National Day ........................................................................................................ 02 CHAPTER - II BUDDHISM 9 Buddhism ..................................................................................................................... 03 CHAPTER - III FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS 10 Freedom of thought, conscience and religion ........................................................ 04 11 Freedom from torture .................................................................................................. 04 12 Right to equality ......................................................................................................... 04 13 Freedom from arbitrary arrest, detention and punishment and prohibition of retrospective penal legislation .................................................... 05 14 Freedom of speech, assembly, association, occupation, movement, &c. ......................................................................................................... 06 15 Restrictions on fundamental rights .......................................................................... 06 16 Existing written law and unwritten law to continue in force ................................ 07 17 Remedy for the infringement of fundamental rights by executive action ........... 08 vi The Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka CHAPTER - IV LANGUAGE Article Page 18 Official Language ..................................................................................................... 09 19 National Languages ................................................................................................. 09 20 Use of National Languages in Parliament, Provincial Councils, and Local Authorities .................................................................................................. 09 21 Medium of instruction ............................................................................................. 09 22 Languages of administration .................................................................................. 10 23 Language of legislation............................................................................................ 12 24 Languages of the Courts ......................................................................................... 12 25 Provision for adequate facilities for use of languages provided for in this Chapter ................................................................................................ 14 25A Provision of any law inconsistent with this Chapter deemed to be repealed ....................................................................................................... 14 CHAPTER - V CITIZENSHIP 26 Citizenship of Sri Lanka ........................................................................................... 15 CHAPTER - VI DIRECTIVE PRINCIPLES OF STATE POLICY AND FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES 27 Directive Principles of State Policy .......................................................................... 16 28 Fundamental duties .................................................................................................... 18 29 Principles of State Policy and fundamental duties not justifiable .............................................................................................................. 18 CHAPTER - VII THE EXECUTIVE THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC 30 The President of the Republic................................................................................. 19 31 The election and the term of office of the President ........................................... 19 32 Assumption of office ............................................................................................... 22 33 Powers and functions of the President ................................................................. 23 34 Grant of pardon ........................................................................................................ 23 35 Immunity of President from suit............................................................................. 24 36 Salary and pension .................................................................................................. 25 The Constitution of the Democratic Socialist vii Republic of Sri Lanka Article Page 37 Exercise, performance and discharge of powers, duties and functions of the President by the Prime Minister.............................................. 25 38 Vacation of office by President ............................................................................... 26 39 Determination by the Supreme Court that the President was not duly elected or the election of the President was void............................................. 28 40 Vacation of office by President and election of succeeding President ............. 29 41 President’s staff.......................................................................................................... 29 CHAPTER - VII A THE EXECUTIVE * PARLIAMENTARY COUNCIL **41A President to make the appointments in respect of the Commissions and offices referred to in the schedules ...................................................... 31 41B Repealed ................................................................................................................ 34 41C Repealed ................................................................................................................ 34 41D Repealed ................................................................................................................ 34 41E Repealed ................................................................................................................ 34 41F Repealed ................................................................................................................ 34 41G Repealed ................................................................................................................ 34 41H Repealed ................................................................................................................ 34 CHAPTER - VIII THE EXECUTIVE THE CABINET OF MINISTERS 42 Responsibility of the President ............................................................................... 35 43 Cabinet of Ministers ................................................................................................. 35 44 Ministers of Cabinet and their subjects and functions ....................................... 35 45 Ministers who are not members of the Cabinet and their Ministries, subjects and functions ............................................................................................. 36 46 Deputy Ministers ...................................................................................................... 36 47 Tenure of office of the Prime Minister, Ministers and Deputy Ministers....................................................................................................... 37 48 Cabinet of Ministers after dissolution of Parliament............................................ 37 49 Dissolution of Cabinet of Ministers........................................................................ 37 50 Acting Minister and Acting Deputy Minister........................................................ 38 51 Secretary to Cabinet of Ministers ........................................................................... 38 52 Secretaries
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Constituent Authority Richard Kay University of Connecticut School of Law
    University of Connecticut OpenCommons@UConn Faculty Articles and Papers School of Law 2011 Constituent Authority Richard Kay University of Connecticut School of Law Follow this and additional works at: https://opencommons.uconn.edu/law_papers Part of the Comparative and Foreign Law Commons, Constitutional Law Commons, and the Law and Society Commons Recommended Citation Kay, Richard, "Constituent Authority" (2011). Faculty Articles and Papers. 274. https://opencommons.uconn.edu/law_papers/274 +(,121/,1( Citation: 59 Am. J. Comp. L. 715 2011 Content downloaded/printed from HeinOnline (http://heinonline.org) Mon Aug 15 16:57:05 2016 -- Your use of this HeinOnline PDF indicates your acceptance of HeinOnline's Terms and Conditions of the license agreement available at http://heinonline.org/HOL/License -- The search text of this PDF is generated from uncorrected OCR text. -- To obtain permission to use this article beyond the scope of your HeinOnline license, please use: https://www.copyright.com/ccc/basicSearch.do? &operation=go&searchType=0 &lastSearch=simple&all=on&titleOrStdNo=0002-919X RICHARD S. KAY* Constituent Authorityt The force of a constitution, like the force of all enacted law, de- rives, in significant part, from the circumstances of its enactment. Legal and political theory has long recognized the logical necessity of a "constituentpower." That recognition, however, tells us little about what is necessary for the successful enactment of an enduring consti- tution. Long-term acceptance of a constitution requires a continuing regard for the process that brought it into being. There must be, that is, recognition of the "constituent authority" of the constitution-mak- ers. This paper is a consideration of the idea of "constituentauthority" drawing on a comparison of various constitutional systems.
    [Show full text]
  • In the Supreme Court of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
    IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF SRI LANKA In the matter of an Application under and in terms of Articles 17 and 126 of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka 1. Centre for Policy Alternatives (Guarantee) Ltd., No.24/2 28 th Lane, Off Flower Road, Colombo 7. 2. Dr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu No. 03, Ascot Avenue, Colombo 5. Petitioners SC (FR) Application No. vs. 1. D. M. Jayaratne, Prime Minister, Prime Minister’s Office, 58, Sir Ernest De Silva Mawatha, Colombo 7 2. Chamal Rajapakse, Speaker of Parliament, Parliament of Sri Lanka, Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte 3. Ranil Wickremasinghe, Leader of the Opposition, 115, 5 th Lane, Colombo 3 4. A H M Azwer, Member of Parliament, 4, Bhatiya Road, Dehiwala 5. D M Swaminathan, Member of Parliament, 125, Rosmead Place, Colombo 07 6. Mohan Pieris, President’s Counsel, 3/144, Kynsey Road, Colombo 8 7. The Attorney General, Attorney General’s Department, Hulftsdorp, Colombo 12 Respondents 1/19 On this 15th day of January 2013 TO: THE HONOURABLE CHIEF JUSTICE AND THEIR LORDSHIPS THE OTHER HONOURABLE JUDGES OF THE SUPREME COURT OF THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF SRI LANKA The Petition of the Petitioners above named appearing by Namal Rajapaksha their Registered Attorney-at-Law states as follows: THE PETITIONERS 1. The 1 st Petitioner is a body incorporated under the laws of Sri Lanka (and duly re- registered in terms of the Companies Act No.7 of 2007) and is made up of members, more than three-fourths of whom are citizens of Sri Lanka.
    [Show full text]
  • Reforming Sri Lankan Presidentialism: Provenance, Problems and Prospects Volume 2
    Reforming Sri Lankan Presidentialism: Provenance, Problems and Prospects Edited by Asanga Welikala Volume 2 18 Failure of Quasi-Gaullist Presidentialism in Sri Lanka Suri Ratnapala Constitutional Choices Sri Lanka’s Constitution combines a presidential system selectively borrowed from the Gaullist Constitution of France with a system of proportional representation in Parliament. The scheme of proportional representation replaced the ‘first past the post’ elections of the independence constitution and of the first republican constitution of 1972. It is strongly favoured by minority parties and several minor parties that owe their very existence to proportional representation. The elective executive presidency, at least initially, enjoyed substantial minority support as the president is directly elected by a national electorate, making it hard for a candidate to win without minority support. (Sri Lanka’s ethnic minorities constitute about 25 per cent of the population.) However, there is a growing national consensus that the quasi-Gaullist experiment has failed. All major political parties have called for its replacement while in opposition although in government, they are invariably seduced to silence by the fruits of office. Assuming that there is political will and ability to change the system, what alternative model should the nation embrace? Constitutions of nations in the modern era tend fall into four categories. 1.! Various forms of authoritarian government. These include absolute monarchies (emirates and sultanates of the Islamic world), personal dictatorships, oligarchies, theocracies (Iran) and single party rule (remaining real or nominal communist states). 2.! Parliamentary government based on the Westminster system with a largely ceremonial constitutional monarch or president. Most Western European countries, India, Japan, Israel and many former British colonies have this model with local variations.
    [Show full text]
  • 12 Manogaran.Pdf
    Ethnic Conflict and Reconciliation in Sri Lanka National Capilal District Boundarl3S * Province Boundaries Q 10 20 30 010;1)304050 Sri Lanka • Ethnic Conflict and Reconciliation in Sri Lanka CHELVADURAIMANOGARAN MW~1 UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII PRESS • HONOLULU - © 1987 University ofHawaii Press All Rights Reserved Manufactured in the United States ofAmerica Library ofCongress Cataloging-in-Publication-Data Manogaran, Chelvadurai, 1935- Ethnic conflict and reconciliation in Sri Lanka. Bibliography: p. Includes index. 1. Sri Lanka-Politics and government. 2. Sri Lanka -Ethnic relations. 3. Tamils-Sri Lanka-Politics and government. I. Title. DS489.8.M36 1987 954.9'303 87-16247 ISBN 0-8248-1116-X • The prosperity ofa nation does not descend from the sky. Nor does it emerge from its own accord from the earth. It depends upon the conduct ofthe people that constitute the nation. We must recognize that the country does not mean just the lifeless soil around us. The country consists ofa conglomeration ofpeople and it is what they make ofit. To rectify the world and put it on proper path, we have to first rec­ tify ourselves and our conduct.... At the present time, when we see all over the country confusion, fear and anxiety, each one in every home must con­ ., tribute his share ofcool, calm love to suppress the anger and fury. No governmental authority can sup­ press it as effectively and as quickly as you can by love and brotherliness. SATHYA SAl BABA - • Contents List ofTables IX List ofFigures Xl Preface X111 Introduction 1 CHAPTER I Sinhalese-Tamil
    [Show full text]
  • Sri Lanka's Constitution of 1978 with Amendments Through 2015
    PDF generated: 26 Aug 2021, 16:49 constituteproject.org Sri Lanka's Constitution of 1978 with Amendments through 2015 Subsequently amended This complete constitution has been generated from excerpts of texts from the repository of the Comparative Constitutions Project, and distributed on constituteproject.org. constituteproject.org PDF generated: 26 Aug 2021, 16:49 Table of contents Preamble . 11 CHAPTER I: THE PEOPLE, THE STATE AND SOVEREIGNTY . 11 1. The State . 11 2. Unitary State . 11 3. Sovereignty of the People . 12 4. Exercise of Sovereignty . 12 5. Territory of the Republic . 12 6. The National Flag . 12 7. The National Anthem . 13 8. The National Day . 13 CHAPTER II: BUDDHISM . 13 CHAPTER III: FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS . 13 10. Freedom of thought, conscience and religion . 13 11. Freedom from torture . 13 12. Right to equality . 13 13. Freedom from arbitrary arrest, detention and punishment, and prohibition of retrospective penal legislation . 14 14. Freedom of speech, assembly, association, occupation, movement etc . 14 14A. Right of access to information . 15 15. Restrictions on fundamental rights . 16 16. Existing written law and unwritten law to continue in force . 16 17. Remedy for the infringement of fundamental rights by executive action . 17 CHAPTER IV: LANGUAGE . 17 18. Official Language . 17 19. National Languages . 17 20. Use of National Languages in Parliament, Provincial Councils and Local Authorities . 17 21. Medium of instruction . 17 22. Languages of Administration . 18 23. Language of Legislation . 19 24. Languages of the courts . 20 25. Provision for adequate facilities for use of languages provided for in this Chapter . 20 25A. Provision of any law inconsistent with this Chapter deemed to be repealed .
    [Show full text]
  • Sri Lanka's Constitution of 1978 with Amendments Through 2010
    PDF generated: 26 Aug 2021, 16:49 constituteproject.org Sri Lanka's Constitution of 1978 with Amendments through 2010 This complete constitution has been generated from excerpts of texts from the repository of the Comparative Constitutions Project, and distributed on constituteproject.org. constituteproject.org PDF generated: 26 Aug 2021, 16:49 Table of contents Preamble . 10 CHAPTER I: THE PEOPLE, THE STATE AND SOVEREIGNTY . 10 1. The State . 10 2. Unitary State . 10 3. Sovereignty of the People . 11 4. Exercise of Sovereignty . 11 5. Territory of the Republic . 11 6. The National Flag . 11 7. The National Anthem . 12 8. The National Day . 12 CHAPTER II: BUDDHISM . 12 CHAPTER III: FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS . 12 10. Freedom of thought, conscience and religion . 12 11. Freedom from torture . 12 12. Right to equality . 12 13. Freedom from arbitrary arrest, detention and punishment, and prohibition of retrospective penal legislation . 13 14. Freedom of speech, assembly, association, occupation, movement etc . 13 15. Restrictions on fundamental rights . 14 16. Existing written law and unwritten law to continue in force . 15 17. Remedy for the infringement of fundamental rights by executive action . 15 CHAPTER IV: LANGUAGE . 15 18. Official Language . 15 19. National Languages . 15 20. Use of National Languages in Parliament, Provincial Councils and Local Authorities . 16 21. Medium of instruction . 16 22. Languages of Administration . 16 23. Language of Legislation . 17 24. Languages of the courts . 18 25. Provision for adequate facilities for use of languages provided for in this Chapter . 19 25A. Provision of any law inconsistent with this Chapter deemed to be repealed .
    [Show full text]
  • In the Supreme Court of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
    IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF SRI LANKA In the matter of an Application under and in terms of Articles 17 and 126 of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. 1. Athula Chandraguptha Thenuwara, 60/3A, 9th Lane, EthulKotte. (Petitioner in SC Application 665/12 [FR]) S.C. APPLICATION No: 665/2012(FR) 2. Janaka Adikari Palugaswewa, Perimiyankulama, S.C. APPLICATION No: 666/2012(FR) Anuradhapaura. S.C. APPLICATION No: 667/2012(FR) (Petitioner in SC Application 666/12 [FR]) S.C. APPLICATION No: 672/2012(FR) 3. Mahinda Jayasinghe, 12/2, Weera Mawatha, Subhuthipura, Battaramulla. (Petitioner in SC Application 667/12 [FR]) 4. Wijedasa Rajapakshe, Presidents’ Counsel, The President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka. (1st Petitioner in SC Application 672/12 [FR]) 5. Sanjaya Gamage, Attorney-at-Law The Secretary of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka. (2nd Petitioner in SC Application 672/12 [FR]) 6. Rasika Dissanayake, Attorney-at-Law The Treasurer of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka. (3rd Petitioner in SC Application 672/12 [FR]) 7. Charith Galhena, Attorney-at-Law Assistant-Secretary of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka. (4th Petitioner in SC Application 672/12 [FR]) Petitioners Vs. 1 1. Chamal Rajapakse, Speaker of Parliament, Parliament of Sri Lanka, Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte. 2. Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, Eeriyagolla, Yakawita. 3. Nimal Siripala de Silva, No. 93/20, Elvitigala Mawatha, Colombo 08. 4. A. D. Susil Premajayantha, No. 123/1, Station Road, Gangodawila, Nugegoda. 5. Rajitha Senaratne, CD 85, Gregory’s Road, Colombo 07. 6. Wimal Weerawansa, No.
    [Show full text]
  • 20Th Amendment
    PALAIS DES NATIONS • 1211 GENEVA 10, SWITZERLAND Mandates of the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers; and the Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence REFERENCE: OL LKA 9/2020 10 December 2020 Excellency, We have the honour to address you in our capacities as Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers; and Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence, pursuant to Human Rights Council resolutions 44/8 and 45/10. We would like to bring to the attention of your Excellency’s Government information we have received concerning the adverse impact that the 20th Amendment to the Constitution of Sri Lanka may have on the independence of the judiciary and the separation of powers, as well as on the independence of institutions which are essential to the establishment of guarantees of non- recurrence of past gross violations of human rights and serious violations of international humanitarian law, in particular the Human Rights Commission and the National Police Commission. * * * The 20th Amendment to the Constitution of Sri Lanka (hereinafter, “the Amendment”) was passed into law on 22 October 2020, with a qualified majority of two thirds. It was adopted after two days of deliberation, overruling the Opposition’s request for at least four days of debate. The Amendment introduces far-reaching changes to the Constitution, and may alter the balance of power between the different branches in favour of the President of the Republic. It eliminates most of the reforms introduced with the 19th Amendment, adopted in 2015, which the former Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyer welcomed in her country report on Sri Lanka (A/HRC/35/31/Add.1, paras.
    [Show full text]
  • INTERPRETATION [Cap. 12
    CHAPTER 12 INTERPRETATION Ordinances AN ORDINANCE FOR DEFINING THE MEANING OF CERTAIN TERMS AND FOR SHORTENING Nos. 21 of 1901 22 of 1912 THE LANGUAGE USED IN ENACTMENTS AND OTHER WRITTEN LAWS AND FOR 2 of 1913 OTHER PURPOSES. 8 of 1916 20 of 1924 8 of 1931 2 of 1947 Acts Nos. 5 of 1954. 17 of 1965. 29 of 1971. 18 of 1972. Law No. 29 of 1974. [3rd December, 1901. ] Short title. 1. This Ordinance may be cited as the " operation ". used with reference to Interpretation Ordinance. an enactment which is not to take effect immediately upon coming Interpretation. 2. In this Ordinance and in every written into force, shall me£.n the day on law. whether made before or after the which such enactment takes effect; commencement of this Ordinance, unless (f) "enactment" shall mean any there be something repugnant in the subject Ordinance, Law or Act enacted by or context- the Legislature of Ceylon or Sri (a) "abet" with its grammatical Lanka, as the case may be, and variations and cognate expressions, shall include - shall have the same meaning as in the Penal Code; (i) the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist (b) " Act'' or " Act of Parliament " shall Republic of Sri Lanka, mean an enactment of the 1978; Legislature of Ceylon or Sri Lanka. as the case may be, enacted on or (ii) any enactment having the after the 14th day of October, 1947, force of law in Sri Lanka other than a Law enacted by the and promulgated in the form National State Assembly; of a proclamation or regulation prior to the 1st (c) " Attorney-Genera! " shall mean the day of
    [Show full text]
  • Republican Constitutionalism and Sinhalese Buddhist Nationalism in Sri Lanka: Towards an Ontological Account of the Sri Lankan State
    ! 10 Republican Constitutionalism and Sinhalese Buddhist Nationalism in Sri Lanka: Towards an Ontological Account of the Sri Lankan State g Roshan De Silva Wijeyeratne ! ! “...history begins with a culture already there” – Marshall Sahlins, Culture and Practical Reason. “...human beings must create the social and political realities on which their existence depends” – Bruce Kapferer, The Feast of the Sorcerer. Introduction The defeat of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in May 2009 by the Sri Lankan State and the subsequent unfolding of the Rajapaksas’ dynastic project has precipitated an extraordinary resurgence in Sinhalese (Buddhist) nationalism both within civil society and as an official State narrative in Sri Lanka.1 The Sri Lankan cum Sinhalese Buddhist State (hereafter ‘Sinhalese State’) that President Rajapaksa is fashioning draws on the symbolic capital proffered by the fetishised cultural forms of Sinhalese nationalism and has been highly successful in consolidating a monopoly on the means of force within the island, focusing on the military and existential encompassment of the Tamil people.2 There is thus little sign that the President or the government has any intention of pursuing a strategy of constitutional reform as signposted by liberal constitutionalists in Sri Lanka.3 The Parliamentary Select Committee proposed by the government (as a mechanism for proposing a formula for constitutional reform) will as with the previous All Party Representative Committee (APRC) initiated by President Rajapaksa end up in all likelihood being another diversion 1 While Mahinda Rajapaksa is the President, his brother Gotabhaya is the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, while another brother Basil is a Cabinet Minister and finally Chamal is the Speaker of Parliament.
    [Show full text]
  • NIS SL 2010.Pdf
    NATIO N AL AL IN TEGRITY NATIONAL INTEGRITY SYSTEM ASSESSMENT S Y S TEM TEM SRI LANKA 2010 ASS E SS ME N T No 06, 37th Lane, Queen’s Road, Colombo 03 Tel: 011 436 9781-3 Fax: +94 11 2506419 SRI L A N KA 2010 ISBN: 578-955-1281-44-1 NATIONAL INTEGRITY SYSTEM ASSESSMENT SRI LANKA 2010 www.tisrilanka.org ISBN: 978-955-1281-44-1 © Transparency International Sri Lanka Every effort has been made to verify the accuracy of the information contained in this report. All information was believed to be correct as of April 2011. Nevertheless, Transparency International Sri Lanka cannot accept responsibility for the consequences of its use for other purposes or in other contexts. NATIONAL INTEGRITY SYSTEM | SRI LANKA 2010 TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS .................................................................................................................. II LIST OF TABLES AND CHARTS ................................................................................................. IV CONTRIBUTORS TO THE STUDY .............................................................................................. V ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ........................................................................................ VI FOREWORD ..................................................................................................................................... X OVERVIEW OF THE PROCESS ................................................................................................. XII I INTRODUCTION ........................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • 2014 Human Rights Report
    SRI LANKA 2014 HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Sri Lanka is a constitutional, multi-party republic. Votes re-elected President Mahinda Rajapaksa to a second six-year term in 2010. Parliament, elected in 2010, shares constitutional power with the president. President Rajapaksa’s family dominated government. Two of President Rajapaksa’s brothers held key executive branch posts, as defense secretary and economic development minister, and a third brother was the speaker of Parliament. A large number of the President Rajapaksa’s other relatives, including his son, also served in important political and diplomatic positions. Independent observers generally characterized the presidential, parliamentary, and local elections as problematic. The 2010 elections were fraught with election law abuses by all major parties, especially the governing coalition’s use of state resources for its own advantage. Authorities maintained effective control over the security forces. The major human rights problems reported over the year were: attacks on, and harassment of, civil society activists, journalists, and persons viewed as sympathizers of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) by individuals allegedly tied to the government; involuntary disappearances, arbitrary arrest and detention, torture, abuse of detainees, rape, and other forms of sexual and gender- based violence committed by police and security forces; and widespread impunity for a broad range of human rights abuses. Involuntary disappearances and unlawful killings continued to diminish in comparison with the immediate postwar period. Nevertheless, harassment, threats, and attacks by progovernment loyalists against media institutions, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and critics of the government were prevalent, contributing to widespread fear and self- censorship by journalists and diminished democratic activity due to the general failure to prosecute perpetrators.
    [Show full text]