Jatinder Singh, Jadetimes Contributor
J. Singh is a Jadetimes news reporter covering the USA
A new international legal and human rights initiative has emerged as more than 80 lawyers from multiple countries joined forces with Goldhan Law Firm, India, to support an international petition seeking transparency, accountability, and equal justice in a high-profile child protection case currently drawing significant public attention in Sri Lanka.
The initiative follows concerns raised by PhD Scholar Geeth Roman, whose academic work focuses on adolescent mental health, cyber psychology, child protection, cyberbullying, democracy, and institutional accountability. According to Roman, the objective of the petition is not to determine guilt or innocence, but to raise important public questions regarding child protection, transparency, and public confidence in legal institutions.
The petition was launched after growing public discussion surrounding the decision to grant bail to senior Buddhist monk Pallegama Hemarathana Thero following allegations involving a minor child. Public concern intensified after reports emerged that the child had reportedly provided statements to investigators and that authorities had conducted extensive investigations relating to the matter.
As public debate continued, Goldhan Law Firm, India, led by Supreme Court lawyer Lakhan Gandhi, agreed to support the international petition initiative. According to representatives involved in the effort, more than 80 lawyers from different legal backgrounds have expressed support for ensuring that concerns relating to child protection, transparency, and equal justice receive appropriate international attention.
Speaking on behalf of the legal initiative, Lakhan Gandhi stated that the issue extends beyond a single court proceeding and touches broader principles relating to child welfare, public confidence, and institutional accountability.
"Whenever serious concerns involving a child emerge, transparency and public confidence become critically important. Protecting children and maintaining trust in justice systems are responsibilities shared by all societies," Gandhi stated.
He further emphasized that the legal team's involvement should not be interpreted as interference in judicial proceedings, but rather as support for lawful, peaceful, and democratic engagement with institutions responsible for safeguarding children and protecting human rights.
According to organizers, the petition will be made available to the public online and signatures will be collected from citizens, academics, legal professionals, child rights advocates, journalists, and members of the international community who wish to support transparency and accountability.
Upon completion of the signature campaign, organizers intend to submit the petition and supporting documentation to several international organizations, including the United Nations (UN), UNICEF, Human Rights Watch (HRW), Amnesty International, International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC), ECPAT International, Child Rights International Network (CRIN), Save the Children International, International Bar Association Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI), and the Commonwealth Lawyers Association.
The petition requests these organizations to review concerns relating to child protection, judicial transparency, equal application of the law, and public confidence in justice systems. Organizers state that the submission is intended to encourage observation, review, and dialogue rather than interfere with ongoing legal proceedings.
Roman explained that his involvement is directly linked to years of academic research examining the impact of trauma, abuse, cyberbullying, institutional failures, and social injustice on adolescents and vulnerable youth populations.
"As a researcher, I have spent years studying how trauma and institutional failures affect young people. When concerns involving child protection arise, I believe it is important for academics, professionals, and responsible citizens to raise their voices and encourage transparency. This is not about politics or religion. This is about children, accountability, and public confidence in justice," Roman stated.
Organizers also emphasized that the initiative is not directed against Buddhism or any religious community. They stressed that the principles being discussed—child protection, transparency, accountability, and equal justice are universal values that apply regardless of religion, nationality, or political affiliation.
The legal team further noted that history has shown the importance of transparency in cases involving allegations of abuse against minors. International examples, including investigations conducted in the United Kingdom, Australia, the United States, and other countries, have demonstrated the value of independent oversight, public accountability, and strong child protection systems.
Representatives involved in the campaign stated that they remain committed to pursuing the initiative through lawful and democratic means.
"We believe in justice. We believe in transparency. We believe that every child deserves protection and every citizen deserves confidence in the legal system. We will continue this effort peacefully and professionally while awaiting responses from international child protection and human rights organizations," a spokesperson for the initiative stated.
The petition is expected to be launched publicly in the coming days, after which organizers will begin collecting signatures from supporters around the world.
Petition Link: https://c.org/SKyTVYZZ5d
