UN concerned over ongoing `serious` abuses, torture in Sri Lanka

Geneva: The UN on Friday decried Sri Lanka`s slow progress in addressing wartime crimes, and warned that a range of serious abuses included torture appear to remain widespread.

"A number of serious human rights violations ... are reportedly continuing to occur in Sri Lanka, including the harassment or surveillance of human rights defenders and victims of violations, police abuse and excessive use of force, and the use of torture," the UN human rights office said in a statement.

It expressed concern while launching a report on the country`s progress in addressing crimes committed during its 37-year Tamil separatist conflict that ended in 2009.