The Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission has determined that the fundamental and human rights of a Muslim woman residing in Seetha Eliya, Nuwara Eliya, were violated in an attempt to unlawfully obtain access through her land.
The determination was made following preliminary inquiries into a complaint filed by Nona Batton and the Chairman of the United Human Rights Organization under complaint number HRC/HAT/58/26/N.
Following the inquiry, H.K. Withana, Regional Coordinating Officer of the Human Rights Commission in Nuwara Eliya–Hatton, informed the Nuwara Eliya Divisional Secretary of the findings.
According to the Commission’s report, the dispute arose when I.K.G. Upasena allegedly attempted to obtain an unlawful access road through annual permit land No. 478/A/86 belonging to Nona Batton, despite having another access route available.
The Commission stated that the intervention of the Grama Niladhari responsible for the relevant division, reportedly without proper understanding of the matter, contributed to the escalation of the dispute. It also noted that the other party had acted arbitrarily without complying with the law or directives issued by government officials.
The Commission further pointed out that the complainant and her family members had been subjected to hostile treatment during the dispute and that her ethnic identity had also contributed to the harassment.
Although a complaint had been lodged with the Nuwara Eliya Police, the family had not received adequate relief as victims of an alleged offence, according to the report. As a result, the complainant has suffered physical, psychological and severe economic difficulties.
In view of the situation, the Human Rights Commission has instructed the Divisional Secretary to take necessary measures to protect the woman’s and her family’s right to live freely and with dignity, including constructing a permanent fence to close the access route allegedly being unlawfully used.
The Divisional Secretary has also been instructed to inform the Commission of the measures taken in this regard before August 5, 2026.
