Government to Present Batalanda Commission Report to Parliament

The government has announced plans to present the Batalanda Commission Report to Parliament this week. Cabinet Spokesman Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa confirmed this decision during a press briefing on March 11, 2025, stating that the Cabinet had engaged in extensive discussions on the matter.

The Batalanda Commission, officially known as the Commission of Inquiry into the Establishment and Maintenance of Places of Unlawful Detention and Torture Chambers at the Batalanda Housing Scheme, was established in 1995 by then-President Chandrika Kumaratunga. The commission investigated allegations of human rights violations, including illegal detentions, torture, and extrajudicial killings, purportedly carried out at the Batalanda Housing Scheme during the 1987–1989 JVP insurrection.

The commission's report, submitted in March 1998, implicated several individuals, including former President and six-time Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was accused of having knowledge of these human rights abuses. Despite its findings, the report was never fully implemented.

The decision to table the report comes in the wake of renewed public interest following Wickremesinghe's recent interview on Al Jazeera's "Head to Head," where he was questioned about his alleged involvement in the Batalanda incidents. His responses during the interview have intensified calls for a renewed investigation into the matter.

Dr. Jayatissa indicated that once the report is presented to Parliament, the Attorney General's Department would be responsible for determining any necessary legal actions. He emphasized that the government's commitment to transparency and accountability is the primary motivation behind this move, dismissing speculations of political maneuvering against Wickremesinghe.

The upcoming parliamentary discussions are expected to be crucial in deciding the subsequent steps regarding the report's findings and recommendations.