The Centre for the Study of Human Rights (CSHR), Faculty of Law, University of Colombo, successfully conducted a panel discussion on “Critical and Emerging Human Rights Issues in the Asia-Pacific Region” on 12 June 2026 at the Senate Hall, University of Colombo, as a hybrid event under the APMA Special Regional Capacity Building Research Grant – 2026. The event attracted around 70 participants, including academics, students, alumni, and human rights practitioners from Sri Lanka and overseas.
The panel featured HON. JUSTICE YASANTHA KODAGODA, PC. (Judge of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka), DR. RADHIKA COOMARASWAMY and DR. MICHAEL GEORGE HAYES, and was moderated by SENIOR PROFESSOR (CHAIR) NAAZIMA KAMARDEEN. The event was attended by PROFESSOR I.M. KARUNATHILAKE (Vice Chancellor, University of Colombo), PROFESSOR DR. N. S. PUNCHIHEWA (Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Colombo), DR. M. A. M. HAKEEM (Director, Centre for the Study of Human Rights (CSHR), University of Colombo) and MS. T. R. GALAPPATHTHIGE (Acting Deputy Director, Centre for the Study of Human Rights (CSHR), University of Colombo). The discussion highlighted key human rights challenges and emerging issues in the Asia-Pacific region.
