The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has found that the continued seizure of two Tamil-language books authored by B. Piratheepan by Sri Lanka Customs violated his fundamental rights, recommending their immediate release.
In its recommendation in Case No. HRC/KIL/031/26, the Commission examined the decision of the Director General of Sri Lanka Customs to seize four books imported from Chennai, India, on 27 March 2026.
The books were Ippothum Inge Irandu Thesangalthaan, Elluttal Nan Yuttam Ceykiren, Bayangaravaathi and Cyanide. Following an assessment by the Arts Council of Sri Lanka and the State Literary Sub-Panel, the latter two books were released after experts classified them as works of fiction. However, 75 copies of Ippothum Inge Irandu Thesangalthaan and 147 copies of Elluttal Nan Yuttam Ceykiren remained detained.
The Commission observed that the authorities had failed to establish the necessary intent and likelihood of harm to justify the continued seizure under the Customs Ordinance and section 120 of the Penal Code. It concluded that the passages in question, although potentially offensive or disturbing to some readers, did not demonstrate the direct incitement required to justify such restrictions.
The HRCSL found that the continued detention amounted to unnecessary and disproportionate prior censorship, violating the author’s freedom of expression and publication guaranteed by Article 14(1)(a) of the Constitution.
The Commission also found violations of Articles 12(1) and 12(2), relating to equality before the law and non-discrimination on the grounds of language. It further held that the seizure violated the author’s right under Article 14(1)(f) to enjoy and promote his own culture and use his own language. The Commission recommended that Sri Lanka Customs immediately release all detained copies of the two books.
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