By Susitha R. Fernando

The Human Rights Commission (HRC) claimed that police torture of those in custody had not changed despite pressure and a large number of Supreme Court rulings on the violation of fundamental rights.

In its final report on the inquiry into the killing of two youth in Angulana, the HRC said the police whose duty was to uphold law and order had not even followed basic procedures in the performance of their duties and had seriously violated the human rights of the victims.

“Even where there has been a large number of court orders issued in cases of violating fundamental rights and where the Supreme Court had imposed heavy penalties and compensation to be paid by the perpetrator police officers personally, it has not made much of a difference,” HRC report said.

It also expressed concern that killings while in police custody had continued to become a serious problem in Sri Lanka.

The 50-page report was compiled by the six member team led by HRC Investigation Director Samanthi Jayamanna on the instructions of HRC Additional Secretary Nimal Punchihewa.