The HRCSL has expressed concerns over the increasing number of complaints received against police officers, particularly regarding allegations of torture, arbitrary arrest and detention, harassment, and inaction with respect to complaints. 

According to a statement released by the HRCSL, a high-level dialogue was convened recently at the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) to discuss critical human rights concerns related to Sri Lanka Police. 

The meeting was attended by the Chairman and all commissioners of the HRCSL, senior officials 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. 

According to the statement, during the meeting, the HRCSL has acknowledged that under the new police administration, efforts are being made to address these issues through capacity building, institutional restructuring, and the adoption of new techniques and equipment. 

The statement highlights that specific attention was drawn to the role of the Special Investigation Unit of Sri Lanka Police, particularly in terms of investigating law enforcement officers allegedly involved in torture and enforced disappearance. 

The HRCSL has also raised concerns with respect to the low levels of prosecution and convictions in this regard. The Commission also raised concerns with respect to the rights of human rights defenders to engage in the advocacy of human rights, including the right to stage peaceful protests against government policies.

Additionally, the HRCSL has raised concerns regarding the representation of women within Sri Lanka Police and the presence of Tamil-speaking officers in specific regions. It was noted that these concerns will be addressed in upcoming recruitment efforts.

The statement confirmed that while the Acting IGP had noted that Sri Lanka Police has initiated proceedings under the Torture Act of 1994 in response to allegations of torture, he had also agreed to issue an advisory note to raise awareness among police officers on section 26 of the HRCSL Act, which protects officers of the HRCSL from legal action.