Human Rights Office, Kandy

15/10/2026

Tribute to Mr. Basil Fernando

A Guiding Light in the Struggle for Justice and the Rule of Law
1944 - 2026

By Fr. Nandana Manatunga

I first came to know Basil aiya, as we lovingly called him, in 1997, when I was the Director of SETIK Kandy. Because of my strong interest in human rights, we opened a Human Rights Unit at SETIK, and Basil aiya was instrumental in helping us establish and develop this work.

At that time, when victims of torture and r**e came to our SETIK office, we referred them to the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC), as we were not sure how best to assist them. Basil aiya was always there for us. He personally contacted victims and taught us how to bring national and international attention to their cases. He taught us how to write urgent appeals and most importantly, how to provide security and protection to victims who were at risk.

Whenever Basil aiya visited Sri Lanka, he made it a point to visit our office, meet victims and their families and conduct workshops for our staff and civil society actors. He introduced us to the concept of the Rule of Law and, through the AHRC and the Asian Legal Resource Centre (ALRC), provided us with reading materials and facilitated seminars and workshops.

He also helped establish the network People Against Torture(PAT) in Sri Lanka. He strengthened the movement of families of the disappeared and helped bring their cause to international attention. He conducted workshops for police officers and prison officers as well, encouraging greater awareness of human rights and the responsibilities of public institutions.

When I left SETIK and began working as the Director of the Kandy Diocese Media Centre, Basil aiya once again helped us to continue our human rights work. With his support, we developed the Centre into a Human Rights Media and Resource Centre. The AHRC not only supported us financially but also provided lawyers and other resource persons who strengthened our work.

Together with Mr. Philip Setunga, Basil aiya was also instrumental in initiating work that brought religious leaders of different faiths together for the promotion and protection of human rights. As part of the AHRC programmes, Mr. Philip Setunga initiated efforts to educate priests and nuns to work for the promotion and protection of human rights in Asia. As an outcome of this initiative, Religious Priests for Human Rights (RPHR) was born in Sri Lanka. Today, more than 250 priests and nuns have been inspired through this work to engage in the promotion and protection of human rights.

Basil aiya also introduced us to the importance of trauma counselling. He arranged for Dr. Rajath Mithra to train our trauma counsellors so that we could respond to the psychological needs of victims. As the number of victims increased, we formed a Support Group and Basil aiya trained its members to assist victims using a victim-centred approach.

Gradually, our work developed beyond providing legal assistance. We began providing holistic assistance to victims and their families, addressing their legal, psychological, medical, educational and other social needs. For Basil aiya, victims were always more important than simply winning a legal case. He constantly reminded us that justice must also mean protecting victims and helping them rebuild their lives. He therefore spoke about the importance of safe houses and other mechanisms to ensure the security and protection of victims.

Basil aiya organized several international workshops, many of which were held in Hong Kong, where we had the opportunity to participate and gain a broader international perspective on human rights work.

His many publications helped all of us to understand human rights concepts more deeply. At a time when we faced enormous challenges from law-enforcement agencies and other authorities, Basil aiya was a tower of strength. He gave us the courage to stand firm and continue our struggle for justice.

Basil aiya consistently spoke about the deficiencies of the 1978 Constitution. He believed deeply in the need for a new constitution and worked tirelessly with many of us towards the possibility of constitutional reform. He organized seminars and meetings and produced publications that offered ideas and guidelines for a new constitution.

With the help and assistance of Basil aiya and the AHRC, in 2008 we were able to establish a separate Human Rights Office in Kandy. He introduced us to many resource persons and international partners who strengthened our work and helped us develop the Office into what it is today.

Over the years, we have had many success stories not only in the legal victories we achieved, but also in helping victims of torture regain their dignity, confidence and hope. In almost all of these stories, Basil aiya had a hand.

He gave special attention to the cases of Chamila Bandara, Lalith Rajapakse, Pushpakumara, Dingiri Banda, Rohitha Liyanage and Rita, among many others. His writings, interventions and persistent advocacy helped to move cases forward, including Rita’s case, where his intervention contributed to expediting the proceedings. When most the PTA detainees were held in custody without proper legal interventions Basil aiya helped us to intervene on behalf of them through urgent appeals which was the only recourse to appeal on behalf of them and gain international attention. Although the process was quite difficult with the social atmosphere prevailed at that time,due to the commitment of the lawyers such as Suren D. Perera almost all the detainees were released.

Basil aiya challenged successive governments over misconduct and impunity. Asa result, there were long periods when he was unable to return to Sri Lanka. But distance never weakened his commitment. He spoke out against violations of the law regardless of who was responsible. Whether a violation came from the executive, law-enforcement authorities or the judiciary, he was prepared to question and challenge it. Basil aiya created a human rights movement in SriLanka with committed human rights defenders during the most difficult period in Sri Lanka with disappearances and so much of atrocities which were taking place and the human rights defenders were totally suppressed by the successive governments.

His work was never limited to Sri Lanka. He brought together human rights defenders from across Asia and inspired generations of activists to question their systems, challenge injustice and defend human rights principles. Through his work as a legal professional, his writings, his training and, above all, his personal example, he helped nurture and strengthen many human rights defenders across the region.

Basil aiya was a strong and exceptional character with a clear vision. He was an intellectual, but at the same time, he was a person who stood firmly on the ground. He understood ideas deeply, but he always connected those ideas to the lives and struggles of ordinary people.

Basil aiya was honoured with several prestigious international awards in recognition of his unwavering commitment to human rights and justice. These included an award from the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) in 1993, the Gwangju Prize for Human Rights in South Korea in 2001, and the Right Livelihood Award, widely known as the “Alternative Nobel Prize,” in Sweden in2014.

Basil aiya was a recipient of the Gwangju Prize for Human Rights in South Korea. I was immensely proud that, under his guidance and with the strength and encouragement he gave me, I too received the Gwangju Human Rights Award in 2018. Basil aiya was present at that ceremony. For me, that award was not only a personal recognition. In many ways, it was also a tribute to my Guru the teacher who opened my eyes to a deeper understanding of human rights, justice and the responsibility we have towards those who suffer injustice.

In 2023, when we celebrated the 15th anniversary of the Human Rights Office of Kandy on 10th December,International Human Rights Day, we were extremely fortunate to have Basil aiya with us. Despite his health condition, he delivered an inspiring message to the gathering. His words still echo in our minds.It was the last occasion on which he was present to address a larger gathering organized by the Human Rights Office, and it remains a deeply treasured memory for all of us.

I will always remember Basil aiya not only as a great human rights defender,but as a teacher, mentor, guide and friend.Much of what we have built at the Human Rights Office of Kandy carries his influence.

His ideas continue through our work.
His teachings continue through the people he trained.
His courage continues through those who stand with victims.
And his commitment to justice continues through every person who refuses to remain silent in the face of human rights violations.

Thank you, Basil aiya, for believing in us, guiding us and giving us the courage to continue.

Your legacy lives on in all those whose lives you touched and in the continuing struggle for justice, dignity and human rights.

Our prayer is that will rest your soul and you may enjoy the heavenly bliss.

06/10/2026

23/09/2026

Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change

Family members of the disappeared and members of the Prison Group participated in a practical mental health awareness session conducted by Trauma Counsellor Amila Madurapperuma.

The session was organized as part of the “SRILNAC Listens, Sri Lanka Speaks 2026” campaign launched by the Sri Lanka National Association of Counsellors (SRILNAC) in preparation for World Mental Health Day on 10 October. The campaign, under the theme “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change,” aims to encourage open discussion about mental health, reduce stigma and help people better understand different life experiences.

During the session, participants had an opportunity to share their thoughts and personal experiences related to mental health through a simple exercise using a prepared template. The activity encouraged them to reflect on their feelings, experiences and challenges, while highlighting the importance of listening to people's real needs and providing appropriate support.

The session was especially meaningful for families of the disappeared and members of the Prison Group, many of whom have experienced prolonged uncertainty, stress and emotional difficulties.

23/09/2026

23/09/2026

Beyond Compensation:
The Unfinished Struggle of Families of the Disappeared

Commemoration Marking the
International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances 2026

For families of the disappeared, the passing of time does not bring an end to the search. Decades may have gone by, children may have grown old and parents may have passed away without answers, but the question remains unchanged: What happened to our loved ones?

For many families, the disappearance of a loved one is not an event confined to the past. It is an open wound sustained by uncertainty, unanswered questions and the absence of truth. No compensation can fill that void. No financial assistance can replace a son, daughter, husband, wife or parent whose fate remains unknown.

It was against this backdrop that the Human Rights Office - Kandy commemorated the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances on 29th August 2026 at the HRO Kandy premises. The annual international day, observed on 30th August, provided an opportunity not only to remember those who have disappeared, but also to listen to the families who continue to live with the consequences of their disappearance.

The programme brought together members of the Kandy Families of the Disappeared Association, who have journeyed with the HRO for more than two decades, together with lawyers, law students, members of support groups and other well-wishers. Rather than being a conventional commemorative event, the programme was conducted as an interactive and participatory discussion, creating space for families to speak about their experiences, concerns and continuing hopes.

A significant part of the discussion centred on the recent inquiry conducted by the Office on Missing Persons (OMP) at the Kandy District Secretariat concerning cases of enforced disappearance in the Kandy District.

Several members of the Kandy Families of the Disappeared Association who had been summoned to the inquiry, participated in the programme and described their experiences. They explained the procedures they encountered and the documentation they were asked to provide.

For some families, the very announcement of the inquiry had initially created a sense of hope. When they received letters informing them that an inquiry would be conducted, they believed that the authorities might finally possess information about their disappeared loved ones. After decades of waiting, they hoped the inquiry might provide answers or at least bring them one step closer to knowing the fate of those they had lost. Instead, they later came to understand that the inquiry was linked to the process of providing compensation. That realization was deeply painful.

For families who have spent years searching for the truth, the prospect of financial compensation cannot resolve the fundamental question that continues to haunt them: Where is our loved one, and what happened to them?

Law student Ms. Salika Dissanayake, who accompanied members of the Kandy Families of the Disappeared Association during the inquiry, also shared her experiences and observations from the process. Her reflections received particular attention during the discussion.

The human Rights lawyer Mr. Suren D. Perera provided an overview of measures adopted by countries with fewer economic resources than Sri Lanka to address the concerns of disappeared persons and their families. He highlighted initiatives implemented in different contexts, including public hearings, memorials, dedicated counselling centres and continuing psychological support for families.

These examples demonstrated that meaningful responses to enforced disappearance need not be measured solely in financial terms. They can also involve remembrance, recognition, psychosocial support, public acknowledgment and institutional mechanisms designed to ensure that families are not abandoned after the initial investigation.

A struggle that has lasted for generations

Members of the Kandy Families of the Disappeared Association spoke openly about the personal losses they have carried for many years. Their stories reflected not only grief, but also endurance.
For families of the disappeared, uncertainty itself becomes a form of suffering. Without confirmation of death, there may be no grave to visit, no place to mourn and no certainty with which to bring the past to a close. The absence of information keeps families suspended between hope and grief.

Participants therefore emphasized the importance of ensuring that the Office on Missing Persons fulfils its mandate effectively and engages with families with greater sensitivity, respect and understanding.

Particular concern was expressed about the need for the leadership of the OMP, including its Chairperson, to adopt a more victim-centred approach when engaging with families. Some participants recalled difficult and painful experiences from previous interactions with the institution, underscoring the need for greater sensitivity when dealing with people who have already endured years of trauma and uncertainty.

Attorney-at-Law Mr. Madawa Eriyagama and human rights activist Ms. Jayanthi Dandeniya also contributed to the discussion. The proposed compensation programme for families of disappeared persons under the new government, as well as the practical challenges associated with the process, were discussed.

Participants were also briefed on the steps taken by the HRO to date and the actions planned for the future. As a follow-up to the programme, the HRO, together with the Kandy Families of the Disappeared Association, is preparing to write to the Chairperson of the Office on Missing Persons requesting a meeting.

Among the key issues expected to be raised at this meeting are the documentation and preservation of the life stories of disappeared persons, the establishment of a DNA database of surviving family members as an important step towards future identification and institutional measures to ensure that enforced disappearances never happen again in Sri Lanka. The families also emphasized the importance of introducing awareness and education on enforced disappearances and their consequences through the school curriculum, as part of a broader effort to prevent such violations from being repeated.

The commemoration programme ultimately reaffirmed a fundamental truth: justice for the families of the disappeared cannot end with compensation. Financial assistance may provide some measure of support, but it can never replace the truth about what happened to their loved ones, the accountability of those responsible or the recognition of the profound suffering they have endured. True justice requires uncovering the fate of the disappeared, preserving their memory and dignity, acknowledging the pain of their families and ensuring that such violations are never repeated.

Until the truth is known, the search continues; Until justice is done, the story remains unfinished.

30/08/2026

With Christ, A Life Given in Service to Humanity

40 YEARS OF PRIESTLY MINISTRY of Rev. Fr. Nandana Manatunga

For forty years, you have reminded us that
every person is more than their circumstances,
more than their mistakes,
and more than the labels placed upon them.

You have chosen to see the human being before the judgment,
to offer compassion where others offered condemnation,
and to bring hope where hearts were broken.

You have carried the burdens of many,
given without counting the cost,
forgiven without bitterness,
and opened your heart and home to those who had nowhere else to turn.

You did not simply preach the Gospel
you chose to live it.

Your greatest legacy is not what you have built,
but the lives you have touched,
the dignity you have restored,
and the hope you have quietly left behind.

40 years of priesthood.
A lifetime of humanity.
A legacy of love.

With grateful hearts,
we thank God for the gift of your humble service.

30th August 2026

With love and gratitude
Your Human Rights Office - Kandy family

08/05/2026

08/05/2026

Candles in the Rain

25/04/2026

Candles in the Rain

Remembering the Victims of the Easter Sunday Attacks
Seven Years Without Justice

A protest march and prayer service organized by the Kandy Christian Community was held on April 21, 2026 to mark seven years since the Easter Sunday attacks, under the theme: “Seven years without Justice for the Easter Sunday attacks - Let us expose all forces obstructing the investigations”.

The event drew a large and diverse gathering of religious leaders, including Buddhist monks, Islamic religious leaders, Catholic priests and nuns, reflecting a strong sense of interfaith solidarity. Rev. Brothers from the Ampitiya National Seminary and other seminarians were also in attendance.

In addition to clergy, laypersons, civil society activists, legal professionals, journalists and victims of the Easter attack from across the Central Province participated in the event. Many voiced deep concern over the continued failure to ensure Justice and Accountability for one of the country’s most tragic incidents.

The protest march commenced at the Good Shepherd Convent in Kandy, with participants carrying placards calling for independent and transparent investigations. Demonstrators also raised concerns over misleading narratives and undue external influences that could undermine ongoing investigative efforts.

The procession concluded at George E. de Silva Park, where a solemn prayer service and remembrance ceremony took place. Participants lit candles and placed floral at the cross in memory of those who lost their lives, creating a deeply reflective and emotional atmosphere.

Delivering a reflection, Rt. Rev. Kumara Illangasinghe, former Bishop of the Kurunegala Diocese of the Anglican Church, emphasized the importance of sustained public engagement in the pursuit of Justice. The Bishop urged the Christian community and the wider public to ensure that the demand for accountability does not fade from national attention.

Addressing the gathering, Ven. Thalpotha Dhammajothi Thero of the Balagolla Buddhist Center noted that although various publications and narratives have emerged over the years, none have conclusively identified the masterminds behind the attacks.

Further commenting, Fr. Nandana Manatunga, Director of the Human Rights Office in Kandy, said that while Catholics are somewhat satisfied with the current government’s investigations, attention must be paid to undue influences attempting to mislead the investigations through various publications and media campaigns.

Moulavi Mohammed Rizwan also addressed the gathering, expressing regret that even after seven years, the country has yet to receive clear answers regarding those ultimately responsible.

Attorney Suren D. Perera, who represents the rights of the victims, stated that since the Sainthamaruthu incident occurred while Deputy Defence Minister Aruna Jayasekara was serving as Eastern Commander, he should step down from his ministerial position in order to ensure the independence and credibility of ongoing investigations.

Despite heavy rain, participants remained until the conclusion of the event, underscoring the emotional significance of the commemoration. Victims’ families displayed photographs of their loved ones, drawing sympathy and reinforcing the urgent call for truth and justice.

JUSTICE, TRANSPARENCY and ACCOUNTABILITY
remain unfinished work - not only for those who lost their lives, but for a country still searching for closure.