Human rights agencies say despite presidential orders, arbitrary detention, torture and extortion continue. Mrs T Packiyam and her 15 year-old daughter Pushpalatha were arrested at Modera and after detention for a month allowed bail. They were rearrested as they left the court. The Chief Magistrate has called for explanations from police. In an application for breach of fundamental rights before the Supreme Court, S Ravichandran alleges that he was severely tortured in a Batticaloa Army camp and a confession obtained of LTTE membership under threat of torture at the Colombo Magazine prison in February.
Disappearances are still a major concern.
Human rights agencies say many disappearances remain unreported for fear of reprisals and have expressed concern over government s silence on prosecution of offenders in cases investigated by the three disappearance commissions. Back to Sri Lanka Monitor Index page. Back to The Refugee Council Welcome page.