Protecting

the rights of
others
is our
divine duty
that
we are a
ca ed upon to perform

- Bis V le Mn i

"At the final judgment our creator will ask “I was hungry, naked, hospitalized, was in prison; did you visit me? (Matthew
25:35-40) God is aware of our daily struggle and very specially the struggle of the poor. Protecting the rights of the
victims is our divine duty that we are all called upon to perform”. Rt. Rev. Dr. Valence Mendis, the Bishop of Kandy
stated during his homily, at the thanksgiving Eucharistic celebration organized by the Human Rights Office Kandy in
th
conjunction with the International Human Rights Day 2023 and the 15 anniversary of the Human Rights Office.

Further, the Bishop commended the work done by the staff of

the Human Rights Office under the leadership of Fr. Nandana
Manatunga, the director, for the past 15 years. “The Human
Rights Office has journeyed with the victims in their struggle
to seek justice when they were vulnerable & voiceless”.

A large number lay faithful including victims, lawyers, support

group members, civil society activists, Rev. Fathers and Rev.
Sisters joined the thanksgiving Eucharistic celebration in
praising and thanking God.
 Following the Eucharistic celebration there was a special
programme with the theme “The path to the future”. Hon. Saliya
Pieris, the President's counsel was the chief guest and Mr. Basil
Fernando, the Director of the Asian Legal Resource Center in
Hong Kong was the guest of Honor.

At the very outset Hon Saliya Pieris said, that the cornerstone of
human rights is “Human Dignity”. Asserting the work done by
the Human Rights Office, the President's Counsel Hon. Saliya
Peiris said "Thank you very much for protecting the human
dignity for fi een years".

In his keynote address, the President's Counsel Hon. Saliya

Peiris pointed out the importance of voicing against torture
done by the officials of the government institutions, including
police officers. He further questioned the unethical
appointment of Acting Inspector General of Police and said it is for the first time in history, that an Inspector General of
Police (IGP) who was convicted for violating fundamental rights and who was ordered by the Supreme Court to pay
compensation with his private money was appointed IGP.

Further Hon. Saliya Peiris said that the Minister of Public Security in one of his speeches directly criticized the
appearance of lawyers on behalf of the aggrieved parties in the proceedings in cases of unlawful arrest made by the
police. “Police officers who follow
illegal orders of the superiors face
the consequences related to such
offenses and become the victims
and will suffer alone as they will not
be helped by the senior officers”.

Hon. Saliya Peiris emphasized that

the "Economic crisis was caused by
the leaders who created a failed
state system. “The failed state
system was the result of the
defective Justice system."

All the activists who were in solidarity with the Kandy Human Rights Office for the
past 15 years along with the victims, creating a common voice for the people calling
for the establishment of the Rule of Law in the country were remembered during
the ceremony.

“The Kandy Human Rights Office has performed a pioneering mission to achieve
Justice for the victims of Torture" Mr. Basil Fernando, the Director of the Asian
Legal Resource Center in Hong Kong, commented during his address. "The lessons
learned in the course of the 15-year journey should be shared with everyone in the
country to create a movement”.
The gathering was also addressed by Rt. Rev. Dr. Kumara Ilangasinghe, the Bishop Emeritus of the Anglican Church in
Diocese of Kurunegala, Human Rights activist Mr. Ruki Fernando and some of the survivors. During their sharing's, they
appreciated the commitment and the consistency of the director and the staff of the Human Rights Office in assisting
and journeying with the victims of Torture, Rape and gender based violence, families of the disappeared, the prisoners
and their families and victims of all human rights violations. The work carried out by the Human Right Office for the past
15 years was appreciated by the participants as well.

A survivor who continue her struggle for 23 years, seeking for

Justice for a crime committed against her, shared her bitter and
happy experiences during the gathering and said, that she restored
her dignity and found a new path in life because of the unwavering
solidarity, support and accompaniment by the Director, staff, the
lawyers and the members of the support group of the Human
Rights Office in her long journey.

Rev. Fr. Nandana Manatunga thanked the Bishops, priests, the

religious, the lawyers, doctors, educators, lecturers, counselors,
artists, the international partners and all those who supported the
Human Rights Office during the past 15 years, very specially those
who were in solidarity during the most difficult and challenging
times. The programme was colored with items such as performing
Art and dances.