Police Ordinance cannot be used in violation of fundamental rights: HRCSL

NEWS

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has informed the Public Security Minister to advise the Inspector General of Police that the Police Ordinance cannot be used in a way that affects the articles of the Constitution that ensure fundamental rights.

HRCSL Chairperson Rohini Marasinghe has informed this in a letter to the Public Security Minister.

The letter says that the Police Ordinance should not be used in a way that affects articles 14 (1) a, b of the Constitution.

The right of every citizen to freedom of speech and expression including the freedom of peaceful assembly has been ensured in these articles of the Constitution.

In the letter, the HRCSL Chairperson has emphasised that the Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission Act has assigned the power to the HRCSL to recommend necessary guidelines for the implementation of the country’s legal and administrative activities in accordance with international human rights laws and standards.