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Crime in Sri Lanka

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Crime is present in various forms in Sri Lanka. General classifications include grave crime and minor crime. There are various forms of punishment, up to the death penalty, although there have been no executions since 1976. Sri Lanka has a major problem with corruption and war crimes have affected many people in the country.

Crime is segmented into two broad classifications: grave crimes (those which are indictable) and minor crimes (those which are not). Exceptions can be made for criminal liability on the grounds of duress, insanity, intoxication, necessity, and private defense. Punishment for crime includes several options: community service, fine, forfeiture of property, imprisonment, institutional treatment, probation, suspended sentence, whipping, and death;[1] while the death penalty is available in the country, there have been no executions since 1976.[2]

Crimes against women and children

Prostitution in Sri Lanka is legal. Sri Lanka is a participant in the prostitution industry, and most consumers of the trade in the country are foreign travellers.[3] Nevertheless, most prostitution-related acts, such as prostitute trafficking and procuring are illegal. Prostitution has not become as severe an issue in Sri Lanka as compared to the situation in some neighbouring countries.[4] Child trafficking is a problem in Sri Lanka. Most children trafficked are treated unfairly, unwillingly and inhumanely turned into pornographic film actors or sex slaves. Foreigners are not jailed for performing sexual offenses against children.[5][6][7][8][9]

Corruption

Corruption is prevalent in Sri Lanka. Cited as "one of the most corrupt nations in the world" by Lakshman Indranath Keerthisinghe of the Lanka Standard,[10] there have been instances in which law enforcers take bribes from offenders who wish to have their offences waived. The government has made an effort to curb corruption in the country and a handful of corrupt individuals have been arrested and appropriately charged.[11] Corruption is considered a large expense to the Sri Lankan government.[10] However, corruption does not appear to be significant enough to pose a problem with foreign investment, though it is considered to be a persistent issue with customs clearance and smuggling of some consumer products.[12]

Investigation

The crime division of the Police Department of Sri Lanka has several branches. Its primary mission is to protect against all types of crimes in the country. It makes appropriate coordination with civil and military agencies, apprehends criminals, and take appropriate legal actions after the commitment of crime.[13] The department also has the Police Human Rights Division which was established in 2002 with a mandate to examine and prevent human rights violations with which their officers may be charged while on duty.[14]

See also

References

  1. ^ Newman, Graeme R. (30 October 2010). Crime and Punishment around the World: [Four Volumes]. ABC-CLIO. pp. 21–. ISBN 978-0-313-35134-1.
  2. ^ Ghosh, Palash (April 26 2013). "Despite Wave Of Violent Crime, Sri Lanka Remains Wary About Death Penalty". International Business Times. Retrieved 12 June 2013. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ^ Encyclopedia of Prostitution and Sex Work. Greenwood. pp. 452–. ISBN 9780313329685.
  4. ^ "Country Report on Human Rights Practices in Sri Lanka". State.gov. 2008-03-11. Retrieved 2010-03-31.
  5. ^ "Sex tourists prey on Sri Lanka's children: Beach resorts are hunting-grounds for European child abusers and pornographic video makers. Tim McGirk reports from Colombo". Independent. Retrieved 2012-04-10.
  6. ^ "UN targets Lanka child sex trade". BBC. Retrieved 2012-04-10.
  7. ^ "Sri Lanka to eliminate child sex tourism". Shanghai Daily. Retrieved 2012-04-10.
  8. ^ "Child sex tourism spreading in Asia". CNN. Retrieved 2012-04-10.
  9. ^ "Child exploitation not new to stricken region". CNN. Retrieved 2012-04-10.
  10. ^ a b Lakshman Indranath Keerthisinghe (October 23, 2011). "Sri Lanka one of the most corrupt nations in the world". Lanka Standard.
  11. ^ "Bribery and corruption control in Sri Lanka". Asian Human Rights Commission. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
  12. ^ International Business Publications, USA (1 January 2012). Sri Lanka Business Law Handbook: Strategic Information and Laws. International Business Publications. pp. 98–. ISBN 978-1-4387-7107-6. {{cite book}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  13. ^ "Crime division". Sri Lanka Police. Retrieved 19 June 2013.
  14. ^ "Human Rights". Sri Lanka Police. Retrieved 19 June 2013.
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