Sri Lanka, March 26 -- The Inspector General of Police, Priyantha Weerasooriya has issued guidelines to be followed when arresting suspects in relation to offences committed under Section 3 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Act.

It is reported that the relevant notification has been communicated in writing to all police officers, including all Senior Deputy Inspectors General.

According to the provisions of the Act, an individual may only be arrested after examining whether a statement or expression incites war, or promotes discrimination, hostility, or violence, thereby amounting to advocacy of national, racial, or religious hatred.

The Inspector General of Police has further stated that, if an arrest...