Sri Lankan activist Sunila Abeysekera (1952 — 2013), who inspired many with her relentless work championing human rights, passed away in Colombo on Monday.Photo: Special Arrangement |
Sri Lankan activist Sunila Abeysekera, who inspired many with her
relentless work championing human rights, passed away in Colombo on
Monday. She was 61.
Ms. Abeysekera was known for her consistent efforts in campaigning for
human rights, focusing particularly on the plight of people living in
war-affected areas. She also engaged with issues pertaining to women's
rights, sexual and reproductive rights, including the rights of
communities such as sex workers, people living with HIV/AIDS, and
lesbian, gay, and transgender persons, according to PeaceWomen Across
the Globe, an organisation involved in peace activism.
“In 1989, Sunila played a pioneering role in the establishment of a
group, INFORM, that undertook documentation of human rights abuses at a
time when there was a high level of repression and terror in the
country,” a note on its website said. She was one of those activists who
consistently raised their voice against human rights violation, despite
intimidation and threats.
The Hindu