Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) expresses its deepest condolence at the death of prominent Human Rights Activist Sunila Abeysekera, who passed away in Colombo on September 9, 2013, after fighting with cancer for a long time. She was sixty one years old at the time of her death. ASK has lost a true companion by her departure.

• Speaking at the Celebration of the 25th Year of ASK
• Honorary Guests for their Contribution to the field of human rights
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• Far Left. IG Khaleque who also was an honorary guest passed away on 10th June 2013

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Sunila Abeysekera was a very courageous woman who struggled for decades to bring justice for victims of human rights abuses in Sri Lanka. During the civil war of the country, she relentlessly raised her voice and continued her struggle against human rights violations, despite of continuous intimidation and threats from the Government and also from the LTTE.

She worked tirelessly to promote and protect 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.

She was also honoured globally for 26 years of contribution in this field with the UN Human Rights Award in 1999 and the Human Rights Defenders Award in 2007 by The Human Rights Watch.

Sunila Abeysekera honoured us by inaugurating the celebration of ASK’s 25th anniversary. Her words were an inspiration for all of us in Bangladesh.

She was described as a ”mother, activist, writer, critic, feminist”, she is known around the world as a tough and persistent voice for human rights and democratic freedoms.

She attended the 25th anniversary for Ain o Salish Kendra in 2011, where she had been invited as a guest of honour for her contribution in the world of Human Rights, in the photos above, IG Khaleque, ASK’s late founder member was was awarded,  passed away earlier this year (click text to read obituary).

”Sunila will be remembered for what she stood for, did, said and championed, by family, close friends and colleagues, both in Sri Lanka and abroad. She will be variously described as mother, activist, writer, critic, feminist and as much more. I will remember her for all this, but also as a wonderful singer” read more.