Policing in Domestic Violence Act in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Domestic violence is a critical human rights violation under international legal norms because of the serious social problems caused by its symptoms and characteristics (United Nations, 1989). In response to this issue, domestic law of Sri Lanka provides for a legal framework that includes the prevention of particular thing that perpetrators do. It guarantees non-discrimination in connection with acts of domestic violence and protection of individuals. The primary agency which assists co-ordination and monitoring of action against abuse and violence in Sri Lanka is the Police Department. Since an application has to be made to the magistrate’s court for protection orders for the prevention of such acts of domestic violence, a Police Officer (a member of the regular police force and includes all persons enlisted under Police Ordinance) is commonly chosen to make the application to the District Court on behalf of the aggrieved person. The Police play a dual role in a society that includes maintenance of law and maintenance of order. In performance of these roles, a higher level of knowledge of the Police Officials about the significance and importance of various social legislations like the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act No. 34 of 2005 is essential. Awareness of the duties and liabilities of police officers according to the Police Ordinance is also important in Policing in the domestic laws of the country. Therefore, this study examines the response of the Police operated to cover the movement for protecting children, women and factors associated with abuse as a key measure in controlling domestic violence in two purposive Police Divisions as selected by the author.