Sri Lanka's Human Rights Commission gains power to prosecute

Judge's Gavel: Federal Govt., Public Domain

Sri Lanka’s Human Rights Commission (HRCSL) will gain the power to take legal action against human rights violators. This is the first time the Commission will be able to take legal action against violators if they do not comply with recommendations by the Commission.

The current procedure for the Commission after a complaint alleging violations of human rights is made, an inquiry takes place. After the inquiry, the Commission will issue a set of recommendations to the accused parties. The accused have a two week time frame to implement the recommendations.

If recommendations were not implemented the Commission wasn’t able to do much about it. Now, the Commission can take legal action, according to Justice Priyantha R. P. Perera, Chairman of the Commission.

An amendment, approved by President Mahinda Rajapaksa to enable the Commission to take legal action against violators will be added to the Human Rights Commission Act.