Watch Live: Parliament Takes on Batalanda Report After Decades

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Sri Lankan Parliament has commenced a highly anticipated debate on the Batalanda Commission Report, which investigates allegations of illegal detention centers and torture chambers at the Batalanda Housing Scheme.

The debate, which began this morning (10), marks a significant step in addressing the findings of the Commission of Inquiry into these serious human rights violations.

The report, tabled in Parliament on March 14, 2025, by Leader of the House, Minister Bimal Rathnayake,.

The debate is scheduled to take place in two stages, with the first stage occurring today and the second stage planned for May.

The Batalanda Commission, established in 1995 by then-President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, was tasked with investigating the alleged human rights violations, including illegal detention, torture, and disappearances, that occurred during the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Despite the commission submitting its report in 1998, its recommendations were never implemented.