Dear friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information regarding an accident victim Alton Laskshman Mendi who was left unconscious by the police who instructed the family members and those around to take the seriously injured victim to the hospital. This was whilst the Pandura police escorted the perpetrator to the Moratuwa police station.
To date, the Moratuwa police do not appear to have begun investigations and have not filed legal action against the perpetrator in the courts. Alton Laskshman Mendiss wife has complained about the Moratuwa polices refusal to give her details of the perpetrator in question, after which she discovered the perpetrator was in fact the son of an Assistant Superintendent of Police.
The AHRC is deeply concerned that this matter has not been investigated and calls for your intervention in this matter. The AHRC requests that irrespective of the perpetrators identity that he be brought before the law in respect to the serious injuries caused to Alton Laskshman Mendis.
Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission
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DETAILED INFORMATION:
Name of victim: Alton Lakshman Mendis (49) 550, 5th lane, Koralawella, Moratuwa
Name of alleged perpetrators: Moratuwa Police Station
Date of incident: 28 September 2005
Case details:
On 28 September 2005, about 3.00 p.m. the victim Alton Lakshman Mendis (49) was knocked down by a motorcyclist. When the motorcyclist was attempting to flee the scene, he was apprehended by the crowd that had gathered around. The motorcyclist had then reportedly telephoned the police who had sent a contingent from the Panadura police in a jeep and escorted him to the Moratuwa police station. The police however, simply ordered family members and those around to take the seriously injured victim to the hospital.
That night Alton Lakshman Mendiss condition became precarious and he had to be transferred to the National Hospital, Colombo, where he was warded in the intensive care unit for almost a month. He was then brought back to the Panadura hospital where he has been warded for about three months. To date, the police do not appear to have begun investigations into the incident nor filed legal action against the perpetrator in courts. The victims wife also complained that the Moratuwa police refused to give her details of the motorcyclists name, address, motorcycle number or insurance company details. The wife later discovered that the motorcyclist was in fact the son of an Assistant Superintendent of Police.
Irrespective of his identity, the perpetrator must be brought before the law in respect to the serious injuries caused to Alton Lakshman Mendis.
SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please write to the relevant authorities listed below stating your deep concern for this case.
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To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear __________,
Re: SRI LANKA: Police fail to investigate case as the alleged perpetrator is the son of an Assistant Superintendent of Police
Name of victim: Alton Lakshman Mendis (49) 550, 5th lane, Koralawella, Moratuwa
Name of alleged perpetrators: Moratuwa Police Station
Date of incident: 28 September 2005
I am writing to voice my deep concern regarding the case of accident victim, Alton Laskshman Mendi whose case to date appears to have made no progress. This case needs to be investigated and with this information we hope you will be able to resurrect the situation.
On 28 September 2005, at about 3.00pm, Alton Lakshman Mendis was knocked down by a motorcyclist. When the motorcyclist was attempting to flee the scene, he was apprehended by the crowd that had gathered around. The motorcyclist then reportedly telephoned the police who sent a contingent from the Panadura police in a jeep and escorted him to the Moratuwa police station. The police however, simply ordered family members and those around to take the seriously injured victim to the hospital.
That night Alton Lakshman Mendiss condition became precarious and he had to be transferred to the National Hospital, Colombo, where he was warded in the intensive care unit for almost a month. He was then brought back to the Panadura hospital where he has been warded for about three months. To date, the police do not seem to have begun investigations into the incident nor filed legal action against the perpetrator in courts. The victims wife also complained that the Moratuwa police refused to give her details of the motorcyclists name, address, motorcycle number or insurance company details. The wife later discovered that the motorcyclist was in fact the son of an Assistant Superintendent of Police.
I am requesting that the police afford the responsible perpetrators details, which include the name, address, his registration number and insurance company. In addition if the police have instituted action against the perpetrator in the Magistrates Court, that the details of the said case be immediately afforded. Irrespective of his identity, the perpetrator must be brought before the law in respect to the serious injuries caused to Alton Lakshman Mendis.
We look forward to your intervention in this matter.
Yours sincerely,
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PLEASE SEND A LETTER TO:
1. Mr. Chandra Fernando.
Inspector General of Police (IGP)
New Secretariat
Colombo 1
SRI LANKA
Fax: +94 11 2 440440/327877
2. Mr. K. C. Kamalasabesan
Attorney General
Attorney General's Department
Colombo 12
SRI LANKA
Fax: +94 11 2 436 421
3. National Police Commission
3rd Floor, Rotunda Towers,
109 Galle Road
Colombo 03
SRI LANKA
Tel: +94 11 2 395310
Fax: +94 11 2 395867
Fax HOME: +94 11 2 674148
E-mail: polcom@sltnet.lk
4. Dr. Radhika Coomaraswamy
Chairperson Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka
No. 36, Kynsey Road
Colombo 8
SRI LANKA
Tel: +94 11 2 694925 / 673806
Fax: +94 11 2 694924 / 696470
E-mail: sechrc@sltnet.lk
5. His Excellency the Hon. Mr Mahinda Rajapakse
President Socialist Democratic Republic of Sri Lanka
C/- Office of the President
Temple Trees
150, Galle Road
Colombo 3
SRI LANKA
Fax: +94 11 2472100 / +94 11 2446657 (this is contact for Secretary to President)
Email: secretary@presidentsoffice.lk
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission
