Chintaka Rajapakse
Chintaka Rajapakse is the moderator of the Movement for Land and Agricultural Reform (MONLAR), a human rights organization focused on land rights, protection of natural resources and the environment. Chinthaka has worked extensively with farmers, peasants and those who have lost land and livelihood due to militarization and development projects. He has actively supported those defending education rights against privatization and militarization, and been part of the ongoing peaceful protests linked to the economic crisis, against corruption and impunity in government.
The situation for human Rights Defenders has significantly improved since Maithripala Sirisena came to power in January 2015, with improved conditions for freedom of expression, civil society and judicial independence. The Sirisena administration has ushered in a broad reversal of the country’s authoritarian drift under Mahinda Rajapaksa, but human rights defenders fighting against corruption, enforced disappearances or defending environmental rights remain at great risk
