In light of the impending presidential election, the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has invited the public to file any complaints about election law violations by state officials, including the police.
As required by Article 12 of the Constitution, the Commission has stated that state employees and law enforcement personnel must provide equal protection under the law, free from prejudice or discrimination.
“When police or other state officials violate election laws, HRCSL invites the public to file a complaint.”
The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has taken special steps to ensure that the aforementioned rights are effectively protected, particularly during the pre-election, cooling-off period, Election Day, and post-election periods. The HRCSL statement acknowledges that citizens of Sri Lanka have the right to vote, participate in political activities, and have free and fair elections. The Sri Lanka Police and other State officials have received special guidelines from the HRCSL, which reiterates their duty to carry out their duties and responsibilities in a manner that fully respects the Constitution of Sri Lanka.
The duty of the Sri Lanka Police and State Officials to uphold the rule of law equally and without prejudice or discrimination, as required by Article 12 of the Sri Lankan Constitution, was also emphasised. In addition, a new phone number has been established to receive reports of suspected human rights abuses connected to the next presidential election. As a result, grievances may be sent by email to iihrcsrilanka@gmail.com, by fax at 0112505566, or by mobile at 0767914695. Specialised officers have also been appointed at the HRCSL Head Office and all Regional Offices to investigate the alleged human rights violations immediately, in recognition of the time-sensitive nature of the complaints.
