Amnesty says that CAT’s conclusion is at odds with its own assessment that reports of torture are high, instructions to police and security forces not to commit torture are not always obeyed, and investigations are not satisfactory. Other human rights agencies note that CAT’s findings are not in conformity with its definition of ‘systematic torture’. The definition says torture is considered systematic when it is "habitual, widespread and deliberate in at least a considerable part of the territory of the country" and when the existence of torture "may indicate a discrepancy between policy as determined by the centre and its implementation by the local administration".
CAT has acknowledged that "torture is frequently resorted to" and that instructions "are not always obeyed, and there was no appropriate follow-up to ensure compliance". The Asian Human Rights Commission says police torture continues although a ceasefire is in force. Community organisations point out that the Sri Lankan government itself has admitted that systematic torture is occurring and that CAT members who went to Sri Lanka in August 2000 did not visit the north-east war zone. They also refused the offer of local NGOs to take them to secret places of detention where torture was taking place.