The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has requested a report from Sri Lanka Customs over a complaint alleging the unlawful detention of a consignment of the Holy Quran in Tamil, which rights activists say constitutes a violation of fundamental rights.
The complaint, filed by an Attorney-at-Law on behalf of Sri Lankan Muslims, claims that the Customs Department—allegedly influenced by a former Defence Ministry Secretary—has wrongfully detained the religious texts since May 16, 2024.
It alleges this act amounts to discrimination on the grounds of religion and language, and violates rights enshrined in Chapter III of the Constitution, including Article 10, which guarantees freedom of thought, conscience and religion.
The complaint highlights that the detained consignment, reportedly a gift from Mecca for Sri Lankan Muslims, has been held without legal justification, despite previous identical consignments having cleared Customs without obstruction.
“This action unfairly targets the Muslim minority and sets a dangerous precedent of State interference in religious texts,” the complaint states, adding that no such restrictions have been imposed on religious scriptures of other faiths.
The continued detention, it alleges, is arbitrary, irrational, and a breach of the principles of equality before the law and equal protection guaranteed by the Constitution.
Leave a comment