Strong public opinion must be created to confirm human rights In the future of Sri Lanka – President’s Counsel

“To create a better country that we hope for, we need to strengthen the institutions of this country. To strengthen the institutions, we need to strengthen the rule of law and democracy in this country. We all have to work for that. We are all united to strengthen the rule of law and democracy. We know how powerful public opinion is. The stronger public opinion can turn even a more bad politician to the public opinion. I invite everyone here to create that strong public opinion.” Former President of the Sri Lanka Bar Association, President’s Counsel Saliya Peiris stated.

He said this while delivering the keynote speech at the celebration ceremony held on the evening (7.00 p.m.) of December 19 to mark the completion of the 15th year of the Human Rights Office of the Kandy Division and this year’s Human Rights Day.

“Since 1971, there have been tens of thousands of disappearances at the hands of the police, security forces, and other terrorist groups in this country. Also, the police and the security forces have been tortured. You have seen the stories of the victims today. Why do these incidents happen? There is a serious reason why the law is not properly implemented against him.” He said.

“What is the future of human rights in this country when the minister in charge of the police gives the message to the police that it is okay to shoot and kill while encouraging such actions?” said lawyer Saliya Peiris.

But according to his experience, Attorney Sally Peiris said that the police officers who make mistakes should remember that they will have to be held accountable for those mistakes one day and that the officers who gave illegal orders and the politicians do not protect themselves when they are held accountable.

Lawyer Sally Peiris, who mentioned that there are police officers who do not like illegal activities, said that we should strengthen such officers and that civil society has a great responsibility to raise a voice that higher transfers and new appointments in the police department should be done correctly in accordance with the rule of law.

“A clean person should be appointed to a high position in the police department. For that, the President of this country and the Constitutional Council have a responsibility and duty to make the right appointments for the people of this country,” he said.

” We still have an Acting Inspector General of Police in Sri Lanka and the position of Attorney General will be vacant in 2024 and the position of Chief Justice will end in December at the end of the year 2024, then here the citizens should raise a strong voice so that they can appoint right persons,” Attorney Saliya Peiris emphasized.

“For that, we need to strengthen the institutions of this country. To strengthen the institutions, we need to strengthen the rule of law and democracy in this country. We all need to raise our voices together to strengthen the rule of law and democracy. We know how strong public opinion is. The stronger the public opinion is, even if the worse a politician will accept the public opinion. Therefore, I invite everyone here to create this public opinion.”

Also, he said that to protect Sri Lanka’s democracy, “we need to raise our voices against the unethical actions of the police and the executive in this country. Also, we need to strengthen the many officers in the police who want to act honestly and respect the law. We need to protect the democracy of this country by strengthening them. Only then will human rights be confirmed in our country in the future.”

Attorney Saliya expressed his deep gratitude to the staff including the director of the Kandy Human Rights Office, Father Nandana Manatunga for performing a significant role in the difficult journey of protecting human rights through protecting ‘human dignity’ for 15 years, he also wished for the strength and courage needed to uphold human rights through action during the 16th year going to be started.

The thanksgiving mass for the 15-year mission of the Human Rights Office in serving the victims was held on December 19 at 4.30 pm at the Kundasale Fatima Cathedral, Kandy. The Eucharistic Holy mass was presided over by Bishop Valence Mendis the Bishop of the diocese of Kandy.

The thanksgiving mass for 15 years and the Human Rights Day celebration program was attended by the Former Anglican Bishop of Kurunegala-Kandy Bishop Kumara Illangesinghe, The Director of the Asian Human Rights Commission in Hong Kong Basil Fernando,  Prominent Human Rights Activist Ruki Fernando together with several Priests and Nuns, Lawyers, and activists who attached the HR Office as well as victims who benefited from the HR Office.

While delivering his homily, Bishop Valence Mendis Praised the Lord and thanked the HR Office for doing such tremendous service to the persons who have been violated rights. Also said that he is very happy about the service implemented by the office with the total commitment.

END.