The Acting IGP assured the commission that Sri Lanka Police has initiated legal proceedings under the Torture Act of 1994 and reaffirmed their commitment to reducing rights violations within the next year.

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has reported a significant increase in complaints against police officers, raising serious concerns over allegations of torture, arbitrary arrests and detentions, harassment, and police inaction regarding public grievances.

A high-level meeting was held on February 18, 2025, between HRCSL officials and senior Sri Lanka Police representatives to address these critical human rights concerns. Among the attendees were the Chairman and Commissioners of the HRCSL, the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Deputy Inspector General of Police – Legal, the Director of the Human Rights Division of Sri Lanka Police, and the Director – Legal, Sri Lanka Police.

During the meeting, HRCSL emphasized the growing number of complaints against law enforcement officers, particularly in relation to human rights violations. The commission underscored the importance of addressing these issues through institutional reforms, capacity-building initiatives, and the adoption of modern policing techniques to uphold human rights standards.

Torture, Arbitrary Arrests

One of the primary concerns raised during the meeting was the role of the Special Investigations Unit of Sri Lanka Police, which is responsible for investigating law enforcement officers accused of torture and enforced disappearances. HRCSL expressed dissatisfaction with the low levels of prosecution and convictions in these cases, calling for stricter enforcement and accountability.

The Acting IGP assured the commission that Sri Lanka Police has initiated legal proceedings under the Torture Act of 1994 and reaffirmed their commitment to reducing rights violations within the next year. Furthermore, Sri Lanka Police agreed to implement new measures to ensure a more transparent and accountable approach to law enforcement.

Diversity and Representation

Another major issue discussed was the lack of Tamil-speaking officers deployed in Tamil-majority areas, which has led to communication barriers and ineffective policing in these regions. HRCSL stressed the need for linguistic diversity within the police force to better serve Sri Lanka’s multi-ethnic population. In response, Sri Lanka Police assured that upcoming recruitment drives would prioritize addressing this issue.

Additionally, the representation of women in the police force was highlighted as an area requiring urgent attention. The commission called for a greater number of female officers in law enforcement to ensure a more gender-sensitive approach in handling cases related to women and children.

Improving Police Training

HRCSL recommended specialized training for officers working with women and children, particularly those assigned to Women and Children’s Desks at police stations. The Commission emphasized the importance of:

1. Ensuring privacy for victims during police interactions.
2. Training officers to handle cases of online gender-based violence more effectively and sensitively.
3. Sensitizing officers at the ground level, particularly those who frequently interact with members of the LGBTQI community.

The Acting IGP acknowledged these recommendations and expressed Sri Lanka Police’s willingness to enhance training programs to ensure a more rights-based approach in policing.

Guidelines and Advisory Notes

To further improve police accountability and adherence to human rights principles, HRCSL recommended the implementation of the following key guidelines:

1. General Guidelines and Recommendations, No. 1 of 2024 on the Protection of Human Rights Defenders – to safeguard activists advocating for human rights.
2. Draft General Guidelines and Recommendations on Preventing Custodial and Encounter Deaths – aimed at reducing deaths in police custody and extrajudicial killings.
3. Guideline for Police Officers to Ensure the Protection of Transgender Persons – ensuring the rights and safety of transgender individuals during interactions with law enforcement.

The Acting IGP pledged to issue three formal advisory notes to all police officers based on these guidelines. Additionally, an advisory note will be circulated to raise awareness about Section 26 of the HRCSL Act, which protects HRCSL officers from legal action when performing their duties.

Commitment to Strengthening Human Rights

The dialogue between HRCSL and Sri Lanka Police concluded with a reaffirmation of both parties’ commitment to strengthening human rights protections within law enforcement. The discussion underscored the urgent need for institutional reforms, increased accountability, and improved training for police officers to foster a more rights-based and transparent policing system in Sri Lanka.

HRCSL continues to monitor developments in law enforcement and urges Sri Lanka Police to take swift and decisive action to address the concerns raised. The Commission remains dedicated to advocating for the protection of human rights and ensuring that law enforcement agencies operate within the framework of justice and fairness.

This dialogue marks a significant step towards enhancing police accountability and building public trust in Sri Lanka’s law enforcement system, said Nihal Chandrasiri, the spokesperson for HRCSL.