Establishment

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka was established under the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka Act, No. 21 (1996). It began operating in September 1997.

Role and functions

The Commission has a wide mandate to deal with illegal detention, torture, disappearance and murder. It also has a responsibility to educate the public and armed forces and to advise on any administrative or other changes that may be necessary to avoid violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

The main functions of the Commission are to:

• Inquire and investigate fundamental rights violations
• Ensure that all State procedures comply with fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution of Sri Lanka
• Advise and assist the government in drawing up legislations, administrative directives, and procedures in compliance with fundamental rights
• Make recommendations to the government regarding how national laws and administrative practices can be brought in line with international human rights obligations of Sri Lanka
• Advise the government on acceding to international human rights treaties and other international instruments in the field of human rights
• Promote human rights awareness in the country.

APF membership

The Commission was admitted as a full member of the APF in 1997 (2nd Regional Workshop) and retained this status until 2009. It became an associate member in 2009 following an accreditation decision of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI).

• Torture prevention
• Article

FEATURE ARTICLE

Strengthening the role of NHRIs in torture prevention

The APF, in partnership with the Association for the Prevention of Torture (APT), delivered a three-day workshop on the prevention of torture and ill-treatment, funded by the European Union.

Read more Read more about Strengthening the role of NHRIs in torture prevention

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