According to reports, the committee is also empowered to intervene in cases of illegal detention. The Presidential Secretariat says that Ms Kumaratunge appointed the committee after her orders requiring humane treatment of Tamil detainees were being flouted by some police officers.
Critics say an independent body, rather than a government committee, is needed to monitor complaints of harassment against government institutions. Ministers have busy schedules and will not be able to devote time. They also point out that President Chandrika appointed a ministerial committee in June 1997 on the same issue - to probe harassment of Tamils by security forces.
In the run-up to the SAARC summit, security was tightened and search operations were carried out in Colombo, Dehiwela, Mt Lavinia, Ratmalana, Panadura and Moratuwa. Thousands of Tamils were taken into custody. Most were released within 48 hours but some detained further.
Police say 12 Tiger suspects, including Nayagam with international links, and two businessmen who assisted the LTTE were arrested in Colombo. Over 75 Tamils were arrested in the capital’s commercial district, Pettah, in late July. Further north in Negombo, a bomb killed a civilian and wounded four others. Police say two Trincomalee youths who planned to destroy electricity generators were detained on 27 July at Kadawatte, ten miles north-west of Colombo.
Sri Lankan press reports say that Tamil youths are currently being held in Hill Country police stations at Badulla, Bandarawela, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Ragala. Twenty four Tamils were arrested at Peradeniya near Kandy in late July and ten detained. Over 15 other Hill Country youths were arrested on Dalkeith Estate in Kalutara District on 24 July for not possessing identity cards. Trade unions say over 50% of the Hill Country Tamils have not been issued identity cards.
In a fundamental rights application, Markandu Maheswaran says that he was assaulted after his arrest in Colombo by the Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) on 22 June and forced to sign a confession in the Sinhalese language which he does not understand. In another application, Nalliah Sriranganathan says he suffered torture after he was detained by police on 24 June.
In late July, the Supreme Court ordered the release of Periyathamby Arumugam, 73, held at the Fourth Floor of the police headquarters, since his arrest on 28 February. He was neither informed of the reasons for his arrest nor produced before a court. Matale resident Thavayoganathan, released on 18 July after two-year detention at Kalutara prison, was arrested again on the same day while returning home.