Police torture is 'routine' in Sri Lanka- Article by Kingsley Karunaratne- Publised on 27 October 2016.

Police torture is 'routine' in Sri Lanka Human rights commission recieved 400 complaints of abuse in 2015 ucanews.com reporter, Colomboucanews.com reporter, ColomboUpdated: October 27, 2016 04:50 AM GMTMission A Sri Lankan policeman keeping watch on a demonstration outside Sri Lanka's parliament in Colombo on April 21, 2015. The use of torture is common among the country's law-enforcement agencies, says a Catholic priest. (Photo by AFP) The efforts of civil society groups fighting police use of torture in Sri Lanka has been acknowledged by one of the country's leading lawmakers upon receiving a report by 20 human rights groups. While past and present Sri Lankan governments deny routine torture is practiced by law-enforcement agencies, the country's Minister of Foreign Affairs Mangala Samaraweera has urged civil rights organizations to rid the country of such practices. The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka reported they received 413 complaints of police torture in 2015. "The government cannot fight this menace alone, we need the assistance of civil society organizations," said Samaraweera during an Oct. 13 function in Colombo where he was given a joint alternative report to the U.N. Committee Against Torture that was supported by 20 human rights groups. "The work done collectively for the report by the 20 civil society organizations against torture is appreciated and we are looking forward to implementing the suggestions forwarded," he said. Related News-Kandy Diocese demands justice for torture victimsKandy Diocese demands justice for torture victimsFor prisoners of conscience, torture appears commonFor prisoners of conscience, torture appears commonReport reveals Thailand's 'culture of torture'Report reveals Thailand's 'culture of torture' Samaraweera reiterated his government's stance to uphold the rule of law and promote human rights. Father Nandana Manatunga, head of the Human Rights Office in Kandy Diocese, said the report is important because the Sri Lankan government does not make public any details on allegations of police torture. Father Manatunga said it is routine for police to use torture to force confessions from suspects. The priest, an author of the report, said he even knows of cases where women have been severely tortured by police while in custody. Reforms need to be implemented to effectively deal with the issue said Father Manatunga. "Police officers have to be trained to use other modern investigative methods; to that end the government should allocate necessary funds to modernize the police force," advised the priest who said his office is currently handling more than 60 torture cases. Father Manatunga added that civil society has to keep raising its opposition to police torture and be there to help victims seek justice.