Shamila Liyanaarachchi, a prisoner's rights activist who also married a prisoner at the Magazine prison in Colombo has passed away after a brief illness. Liyanaarachchi married a prisoner who was incarcerated over fraud charges. The event was a first in the history of Sri Lanka prisons. Her husband later went on to become a key eyewitness of the Welikada prison massacre in November 2012.

Liyanaarachchi fought for the rights of prisoners and reported threats by government officials, especially the Police on many occasions. She also fought for the release of her husband. Shamila was known as an outspoken and brave woman in the human rights activist circle in Sri Lanka.