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Gunaratne Waninnayaka

HRD, Lawyer

Gunaratne Waninnayaka is the president of the Colombo Magistrate's Court Lawyers' Association and the convenor of People's March. He is an outspoken campaigner for the independence of the judiciary.

Despite the end of the armed conflict with the Tamil Tigers in 2009, strict security laws are in force and the situation for HRDs working on enforced disappearances, torture and land rights remains critical. HRDs seeking accountability for violations committed by both parties to the conflict face serious risks, including death threats, smear campaigns, judicial harassment, torture, enforced disappearance and killing.