UPDATE (SRI LANKA): Updates on the four cases of torture

Dear Friends,

We are sending you herewith the following updates on the four cases of torture from Sri Lanka.

Unfortunately, none of these four cases has been investigated and the officers who have allegedly committed these crimes, still enjoy their privileges and impunity, even though some of their name already have been reported. Therefore, we urge you again to send letters to Sri Lankan authorities urging them to make urgent inquires into these gruesome cases of torture.

Thank you for your action.
 

Urgent Appeals Desk

Asian Human Rights Commission

======================

UPDATES ON THE FOUR CASES OF TORTURE IN SRI LANKA

LALITH RAJAPAKE, brutally tortured by the Kandana police (Our previous appeal available at http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2002/240/); JERARD PERERA, living on a life-support system after being tortured by the Wattala police (This case has been issued by OMCT, Case LKA 170602); GREESHA DE SILVA, who lost the use of his hands after being tortured by the Habaraduwa police (http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2002/245/); and H. P. Nandani Sriyalatha heart, tortured and sexually harassed by the Wariapola police (Also issued by OMCT, LKA 180602.VAW)

In none of these four cases in Sri Lanka has there been any disciplinary inquiry or any criminal inquiry under the Prevention of Torture Act No. 22 of 1994 or any payment of compensation.

Lalith Rajapakse is still in very poor heath and is recovering slowly. The officer in charge (OIC) of the Kandana police station on June 20, 2002, when questioned by the BBC Sinhala Service, denied that serious injuries were caused to Lalith Rajapakse despite the medical report by the judicial medical officer (JMO) pointing to 10 serious injuries, one of which the doctors have identified as endangering his life. Moreover, the three officers named as perpetrators in this case still remain in their official positions.

Jerard Perera continues to be on a life-support system The police, when asked by the BBC Sinhala Service, said that they used only minimum force on him. Meanwhile, the residents of the area where he used to live have organised protest from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. yesterday. About 500 people participated in the protest meeting and the demonstrations. To an BBCSinhala service quoted an organiser of the demonstration who said, that complaints have been made to Prime-Minister, Inspector General of Police, Chief Justice, the opposition party leaders, but no action has been taken yet. A fundamental rights violation application has been filed on his behalf with the assistance of the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC). Pressure is being brought by some officers to have their names removed from this application,

however. The government authorities have not visited the patient, his family nor have they offered any assistance. The medical bill for the use of this life-support system is very high.

Greesha De Silva spoke to the BBC Sinhala Service and described the way he was tortured after being hung from the ceiling. He has sent a letter of complaint to Janasansaya, a human rights organisation engaged in assisting torture victims, stating that, ¡°after filing the fundamental rights application in the Supreme Court, myself and my family members are constantly being pressured by Mr. Panditha and Mr. Janaka of the State Administration and Management office to withdraw the application. Kindly inform the relevant authorities to quickly inquire into this matter.¡±

H. P. Nandini Sriyalatha Heart continues to be in remand. Her father is harassed by the police and has been threatened not to pursue the complaints against them.
 

 

 

To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER