Attacks on Muslims in Digana premeditated: HRCSL

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has released its report on the violent events in Digana, and surrounding areas, in March 2018, stressing that the attacks on the Muslim community were premeditated rather than spontaneous reactions to local tensions.

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The report, made public on 01 September 2025, calls for a wide-ranging set of reforms across law enforcement, education, and government institutions to prevent future communal violence.

According to the HRCSL, the Teldeniya Police acted promptly and lawfully in arresting those suspected of assaulting a person named H.G. Kumarasinghe, but false claims of inaction by organised groups incited further violence against Muslims.

The inquiry concluded that while some errant police and STF officers may have supported the attacks, the law enforcement authorities, as a whole, did not actively promote violence. The failure to prevent the attacks stemmed largely from inadequate intelligence, resources, and personnel, forcing the Army to intervene to restore order.