UK hints at resumption of police training in Sri Lanka

The UK Government may ­continue training police officers in Sri Lanka despite Police Scotland pulling out of the contract amid escalating concern around human rights abuses.

 

Human rights campaigners and politicians had urged Police Scotland to stop the training programme when survivors, who allegedly endured rape, electric shocks and torture while being held by Sri Lankan police, told of their ordeal after fleeing to Scotland. Police Scotland, which had insisted its long-standing contract had improved the standard of policing in Sri Lanka, dropped the training contract last month but the UK Government has now signalled its willingness to resume the programmes with another force.

 

A letter from the Foreign Office said: “Police Scotland’s decision does not mean that there will be no future programme of UK-funded support to the Sri Lankan police.

 

“There is no evidence to suggest previous support from British police helped improve human rights in Sri Lanka,” she said. The FCDO said: “All of HMG’s security engagement in Sri Lanka is subject to ongoing Overseas Security & Justice Assistance review assessments to ensure it supports UK values and is consistent with our human rights obligations.

 

Our police training programme in Sri Lanka is undergoing a review due to the broader human rights situation.