HRCSL issues a General Guidelines and Recommendations No. 1 of 2025 on Preventing Custodial and Encounter Deaths
The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has paid special attention to the prevention of deaths occurring in police custody and during confrontations with the police. Recognizing the critical need to address such incidents, the Commission has developed ‘General Guidelines and Recommendations No. 1 of 2025 to Sri Lanka Police on Preventing Custodial and Encounter Deaths’. These guidelines and recommendations aim to strengthen safeguards against violations of the right to life and bodily integrity during police operations.
The guidelines and recommendations were officially forwarded to the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) on 14 May 2025. In response, the Acting IGP, by letter dated 17 May 2025, informed the Commission that the General Guidelines and Recommendations No. 1 of 2025 had been disseminated to all Senior Deputy Inspectors General of Police (SDIGs) for implementation at the divisional level.
To enhance public awareness and foster transparency, the HRCSL convened a Press Meeting on 19 May 2025 with the participation of a wide range of media institutions, including both state-owned and private media outlets. During the event, the Commission officially announced the issuance of the guidelines and recommendations and explained their purpose and content.
Read More:
IGP reply to HRCSL on 17.05.2025
General-Guidelines-and-Recommendations-No-01-of-2025 _ English
General-Guidelines-and-Recommendations-No-01-of-2025 _Sinhala