• 44 complaints on Yukthiya related inconveniences, arrests & assaults to HRCSL, latter urges safety of women & children during Yukthiya ops.   

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) said that 24 individuals have died under Police custody last year (2023), while seven such deaths have been reported thus far this year (2024).

Speaking to the media during a press briefing held yesterday (3), one of the HRCSL Commissioners, attorney Nimal G. Punchihewa, made the particular revelation. He further said that 11 persons died last year while attempts were being made to take them into custody during certain instances, such as in demonstrations.

Stating that the HRCSL has received many complaints regarding the alleged human rights violations reported during the ongoing ‘Yukthiya’ (Justice) anti-drug and anti-organised-crime operation, Punchihewa noted that the law must be enforced by the authorities within the existing legal framework and said that no one has the authority to surpass the boundaries of the law. 

“We admit that actions must be taken to prevent the drug menace and crimes, which is the duty of the Police Department. But, the law must be enforced within its boundaries. No one can violate someone else’s rights,” he added.

Moreover, he stated that 44 complaints have been lodged with the HRCSL including 14 complaints regarding the arrests made during the Yukthiya operation and Yukthiya-related alleged assaults by the Police. He also added that the HRCSL has received 30 complaints regarding the inconveniences caused by the Yukthiya operations. 

Punchihewa noted that the HRCSL has already submitted a series of guidelines to be followed by the Police when conducting raids and investigations and also said that the Inspector General of Police was personally informed by the HRCSL in this regard. He also urged the law enforcement authorities to be concerned about the safety of women and children during the operations.

According to him, there had been around 12,000 unresolved complaints when the new Commission assumed office, while 9,714 additional complaints had been received by the HRCSL last year. He also said that 8,141 complaints, out of the total number of complaints, have been resolved thus far. He further noted that the HRCSL has received 1,686 complaints from January to March of this year.