HUMAN RIGHTS: Police Headquarters to keep tab of all persons arrested under PTA and ER
[November 8, 2001 - 10.20 GMT]

Government has directed the Police to maintain a registry of all persons arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and Emergency regulations (ERs) that may be proclaimed under the Public Security Ordinance (PSO).

The computerised Central Police Registry was established with effect from 1^st November 2001, at Police Headquarters, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced Thursday.

Hotline for information: 01-386061.

The full text of the release is as follows:

Establishment of a Central Police Registry of Persons arrested under Prevention of Terrorism Act and Emergency Regulations

Consequent to a decision taken by the Permanent Inter-ministerial Standing Committee on Human Rights Issues chaired by the Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs and based on a directive issued by the Ministry of Defence, the Police Department has established with effect from 1^st November 2001, a computerised Central Police Registry at the Police Headquarters, incorporating information regarding persons arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism Act [PTA] and the Emergency Regulations [ERs] that may be proclaimed under the Public Security Ordinance [PSO].

Information relating to persons arrested under the provisions of the aforementioned laws has to be submitted to the Central Police Registry by arresting officers, as soon as possible and definitely not later than six (6) hours from the time of arrest. This procedure would be applicable with regard to arrests made in the entire island.

Next of kin and close family members of persons arrested under the aforementioned laws would be entitled to receive information regarding such arrests, the identity of the arresting authority and the place of detention.

In order to receive such information, interested persons may contact the Central Police Registry over the telephone, on 01-386061.  This facility will be open 24 hours of the day. Inquiries maybe made in any of the three languages – Sinhala, Tamil or English.  Senior Deputy Inspector General [Human Rights] has been placed in charge of this new facility.

This facility is intended to further strengthen the protection of Human Rights of suspects in detention and would eneble their family members to obtain accurate information pertaining to arrests and detention.

Contact Information: Send mail to webmaster@priu.gov.lk with questions or comments about this web site. 
Last Updated Date: November 8, 2001  - 10.20 GMT.