Sri Lanka HRC has appointed a Special Rapporteur to report on violations of the Rule of Law on 9th and 10th May 2022

Image: Back cover of SL Briefing Note 26-Violent Assault on Peaceful Protest Site “GotaGoGama” &Accountability of Ruling Rajapaksa Family.

By Sri Lanka Brief-28/06/2022

Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission has  appointed a Special Rapporteur to investigate and report to the HRCSL as to whether the law enforcement authorities provided adequate protection to the people, the damaged houses and in an extension of the efforts taken to uphold the rule of law on 9^th and 10^th of May 2022 are adequate and in line with the existing legal framework.

But the Special Rapporteur’s name is not given in the statement issue by HRCSL.

The statement:

On 9^th May 2022, after a discussion at the temple trees (the official residence of the Prime Minister), a group of people attacked two peaceful protests in front of the Temple Trees and Galle Face (in front of the Presidential Secretariat).

Later violence spread all over the country and the properties of politicians and others were targeted and set on fire. The same day a group of prisoners were assaulted by an unidentified group. The HRCSL believed that the 9^th and 10^th of May violations led the country to lawlessness and alleged violation of the rule of law.

Therefore, the HRCSL decided to appoint a Special Rapporteur to investigate and report to the HRCSL as to whether the law enforcement authorities provided adequate protection to the people, the damaged houses and in an extension of the efforts taken to uphold the rule of law on 9^th and 10^th of May 2022 are adequate and in line with the existing legal framework.

Accordingly, the HRCSL appointed a Special Rapporteur for this task, and he has started his mission and is expected to submit his report after concluding its further proceedings.