CAT/C/LKA/CO/5*
United Nations
Convention against Torture
and Other Cruel, Inhuman
or Degrading Treatment
or Punishment
Distr.: General
27 January 2017
Original: English
Committee against Torture
Concluding observations on the fifth periodic report of Sri
Lanka**
1.
The Committee against Torture considered the fifth periodic report of Sri Lanka
(CAT/C/LKA/5) at its 1472nd and 1475th meetings (see CAT/C/SR.1472 and 1475), held
on 15 and 16 November 2016, and adopted the present concluding observations at its
1494th meeting, held on 30 November 2016.
A.
Introduction
2.
The Committee welcomes the submission of the fifth periodic report of Sri Lanka
and the written replies to the list of issues (CAT/C/LKA/Q/5/Add.1).
3.
The Committee appreciates the dialogue held with the State party’s delegation
during the consideration of the report and the written additional information provided
afterwards.
B.
Positive aspects
4.
The Committee welcomes the declaration made on 16 August 2016 under article 22
of the Convention, recognizing the competence of the Committee to receive and consider
individual communications. The Committee appreciates as well the State party’s ratification
of the following instruments:
(a)
The International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced
Disappearance, in May 2016;
(b)
The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, in February 2016.
5.
The Committee also welcomes the following legislative and normative measures
taken by the State party in areas of relevance to the Convention:
(a)
The enactment, on 25 August 2016, of the amendment to the Registration of
Deaths (Temporary Provisions) Act No. 19 of 2010, enabling the issuance of certificates of
absence to those who claim that their family members are missing;
* Reissued for technical reasons on 6 February 2017.
** Adopted by the Committee at its fifty-ninth session (7 November-7 December 2016).
GE.17-01269