October 04, Colombo (LNW): The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has urged the Inspector General of Police to create a specialised unit within the Police Department to deal with complaints and rights-related concerns involving senior citizens.
The recommendation was conveyed in a statement issued under the signature of HRCSL Chairman and retired Supreme Court Justice L. T. B. Dehideniya.
The Commission said the proposed unit would provide a dedicated mechanism for responding to issues affecting older people while strengthening measures to protect their fundamental rights and personal safety.
According to the HRCSL, senior citizens are increasingly vulnerable to rights violations arising from a combination of social and economic pressures, as well as wider changes affecting public and private institutions.
The Commission said these concerns were not confined to one particular group, with elderly people living with their families and those residing in care homes or other institutions both facing various challenges.
It stressed that older people require effective avenues through which complaints can be reported and addressed promptly, particularly in situations involving neglect, abuse or other forms of rights violations.
The HRCSL therefore believes that a specialised police mechanism could improve the authorities’ ability to identify such cases, respond appropriately and provide greater protection for senior citizens.
The Commission called on the police authorities to consider establishing the proposed unit as part of broader efforts to strengthen safeguards for the country’s ageing population.
