In a significant move to uphold human rights and prevent custodial and encounter deaths, the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has issued its General Guidelines and Recommendations No. 1 of 2025 to the Sri Lanka Police.
The newly introduced guidelines aim to strengthen protections for the right to life and bodily integrity, especially during police operations. They were officially submitted to the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) on May 14, 2025.
Following the submission, the Acting IGP responded on May 17, 2025, confirming that the guidelines have been circulated to all Senior Deputy Inspectors General of Police (SDIGs) for implementation across divisions.
To promote transparency and public engagement, the HRCSL held a press conference on May 19, 2025, which was attended by a wide range of media institutions, including both government and private media outlets. During the event, the Commission elaborated on the contents and purpose of the guidelines and emphasized the police’s responsibility to ensure their full implementation.
Speaking at the event, Nihal Chandrasiri, Media Spokesperson and Director of the Research & Monitoring Division of the HRCSL, stressed that the Commission would continue to monitor compliance with the guidelines to help eliminate future cases of custodial and encounter deaths.
The HRCSL’s initiative marks a proactive step toward safeguarding human rights and enhancing police accountability in Sri Lanka.
