• Police Media Spokesperson DIG Thalduwa says uncertain if operation will recommence
• HRCSL continues to maintain opposition on operation’s egregious infringements

The Police is awaiting new orders to restart the ‘Yukthiya’ (Justice) anti-drug and anti-organised crime operation after its halt due to preparations for the Presidential Election.

“Due to the election, several of our officers were moved and were assigned to election duties,” Police Media Spokesperson, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Nihal Thalduwa told The Daily Morning yesterday (24). 

“Now, with the new Government being formed, we are waiting for orders for the program to restart.” Thalduwa said that the Police remains unsure of whether the program will be ordered to recommence and that they will therefore be relying on orders from the new Government.

The ‘Yukthiya’ operation was an anti-drug and anti-organised crime operation conducted by the Police following the directives of the Ministry of Public Security. The programme combined the use of the Police, the Police Special Task Force and the Army in order to eliminate the presence of drugs and organised crime. However, the programme has been controversial and the United Nations (UN) has called for the suspension and review of the programme. The UN urged the Government to respect the rights of drug users and condemned the arbitrary arrest of drug users who were mostly from marginalised backgrounds.

The Human Right Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has also received complaints about the ‘Yukthiya’ operations, especially concerning the arrest and treatment of prisoners. It was reported that 24 suspects had died in Police custody as of April of this year, which led to the HRCSL’s condemnation of the programme. When contacted by The Daily Morning, HRCSL Commissioner Nimal Punchihewa said that the HRCSL’s stance on the ‘Yukthiya’ programme will not change even if it is brought by this Government. “Our stance will not change,” Punchihewa said. “Of course the Police may act according to the law but they should not engage in practices that infringe human rights. There were certain times where the Police had gone into people’s houses at night and dragged women out in their sleepwear. These sorts of incidents cannot be allowed to happen.”

Former Senior DIG Ravi Seneviratne was appointed as the new Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security. So far, no directives have been given as to the recommencing of the operation.