SRI LANKA: Alleged rape attempt of a woman by a policeman 

Dear friends,

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information regarding the alleged rape attempt of a woman by a police constable (PC) from the Ratanapura police station on 7 October 2006. The PC concerned was allegedly drunk at the time of the incident. Despite making several complaints with the relevant authorities including the Godakawela police, the PC concerned has not been arrested and no disciplinary and legal action has yet been taken against him.

At about 10:40pm on 7 October 2006, Ms. Padmini Sriyalatha came out to go to a toilet situated several feet away from the house. When she was about to enter the toilet, a man in black attire pounced on her. She was very frightened but fought her assailant. While struggling, they moved towards the road near her house. When she fell on the road, the man fell on top of her. She continued to struggle furiously but the man was strong and began embracing her, groping her body and attempting to sexually assault her. As a result she had scratches and scrapes all over her body. During the assault she noticed that the man was thoroughly intoxicated.

Upon hearing the victim’s desperate screams, her husband Mr. D. Wickremasinghe and his nephew Mr. Achala Udayanga rushed to the scene. The husband pulled at the man and tried to rescue his wife. However the man lashed out at the husband and threw him to the ground. He also beat the nephew with his fists. The victim and her husband knew that the man was actually a policeman when he threatened them saying, “I am a policeman from the Ratnapura police station. I was told to conduct (security) checks at any time and place I want. When I return to the police station, I will take care of this matter”. He then left the place with a motorbike parked on the roadside.

Ms. Sriyalatha hurried to the nearby police checkpoint and inquired about her assailant. One on-duty policeman informed her that the man, who had just left the checkpoint, was a policeman but was not on duty that night. After that, Ms. Sriyalatha along with her husband and the nephew went to the Godakawela police station and lodged a complaint against their assailant, Police Constable Samaranayake of the Ratnapura police station. After lodging her complaint, the victim went to the Godakawela Hospital, where she was admitted and treated for her injuries. At the hospital, she again complained about the incident to a doctor. For further treatment, the next day she was transferred to the Ratnapura Hospital where the police stationed in the hospital premises recorded her statement. She was discharged from the hospital on 10 October 2006.

However, Ms. Sriyalatha laments that despite her numerous complaints, no disciplinary and legal action has yet been taken against PC Samaranayake by the police. As a result, PC Samaranayake is still at large. She also reported that she was scheduled to undergo a surgical operation for breast cancer on October 10 but she could not do so due to the assault.

The AHRC strongly condemns the apparent inaction of Godakawela police in investigating the case and arresting the alleged perpetrator. An impartial and speedy investigation must be conducted by independent investigating officers so that the PC concerned is brought to justice immediately.

SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please write to the relevant Sri Lankan authorities and urge them to inquire about this case. Please also urge them to appoint an independent investigating officer for this case and bring the responsible policeman before the court without delay. Please also urge them to ensure that in the meantime the policeman concerned is suspended for the safety of the victim and her family.

 

 

 

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