By Saman Indrajith
The highest number of complaints of human rights violations had been received against the Police Department for violating human rights in 2009, Parliament was told yesterday.
Chief Government Whip Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gnawardena said that of the 5,454 complaints received that year, 2691 were against the police. He was responding to a question raised by UNP Kurunegala District MP Dayasiri Jayasekera.
The other government institutions against which complaints have been made include the Education Department (253), the armed forces (176), Pension Department (90) University Grants Commission and universities (83) and Public Administration Ministry (65.)
Between 2009 and June 2011, the number of complaints of human rights violations received by the Human Rights Commission numbered 11,732.