Dear Friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission has received information regarding Sudath Darmapriya (40) of Kalawana, Minuwangoda in Gampaha District. Sudath has been missing since 12 July 2017. He is a permanent resident of Minuwangoda and a technician by profession. He was managing a Pandal, in Anuradhapura from 26 June 2017. He telephoned his wife on 12 July and promised he will be returning home soon. But until now there is not any information forthcoming about his whereabouts. The wife of the victim G. Sujeewa Dilhani lodged a complaint with the Minuwangoda Police Station and the Senior Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Anuradhapura. But the Police have not yet started a prompt, effective and full investigation into the complaint.
Case Narrative:
Sudath Darmapriya (40) of Kalawana, Minuwangoda in Gampaha District is married and the father of 2 children. He was fortunate to have be a very versatile person. He has several professions: technician; drummer; dancer and electrician.
On 26 June 2017, he departed to Anuradhapura from his home in Minuwangoda by motorcycle. After reaching Anuradhapura Sudath called his wife G. Sujeewa Dilhani and informed her and his children that he arrived safely at his workplace. He was to build a Pandal (‘Thorana’ in Sinhalese Language). He was responsible to develop and maintain the electric circuitry and supply management system of the Pandal.
On 12 July 2017, Sudath called his wife Sujeewa to say that he will return home early as he was able to finish his work successfully. Although he did not own a mobile phone himself, he used the mobile phone of one of the organizers of the celebration.
He had promised to return soon, but Sudath did not return home. Then Sujeewa called the organizers of the event in the Anuradhapura and questioned them about her husband. However, they did not reply and did not provide any details about Sudath. After waiting for several weeks, finally, Sujeewa went to the Minuwangoda Police Station and lodged a complaint on the disappearance of her husband. Recording the complaint, the Officers provided her the reference details as follows. No: CIB/1/171/408 and MCR/3110/2017.
Several days after making her complaint, she went to the Senior Deputy Inspector General’s Office (SDIG) of Anuradhapura and made a second complaint about the disappearance of Sudath. Her complaint was accepted.
Sujeewa states that after two months since the disappearance of her husband, she is still searching to know the fate of her husband. The Police have yet to make a prompt, efficient, full investigation into the disappearance of her husband who remains missing.
She states that the Police, as the local law enforcement agency, is responsible to investigate her complaint and arrest those who are responsible for Sudath’s disappearance and bring them to justice for this crime.
Suggested Action:
Please send letters to the Authorities listed below expressing your concern about this case. Request an immediate Police investigation into the allegations of not properly investigating this disappearance case and the prosecution of those proven to be responsible under the Law. Please urge the National Police Commission (NPC) and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to open a special investigation into the mal-practice of Police Officers for abusing their powers.
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear ________,
SRI LANKA: Technician disappeared in Anuradhapura
Name of Victims: 1) Mr.Sudath Darmapriya (40) of Kalawana, Minuwangoda in Gampaha District 2) G. Sujeewa Dilhani, wife of Mr. Sudath Darmapriya
Alleged perpetrators: 1) unknown individuals
2) Several officers attached to the Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police Office in Anuradhapura
Date of incident: 12 July 2017
Place of incident: Anuradhapura Police Division
According to the information I have received Mr. Sudath Darmapriya (40) of Kalawana, Minuwangoda in Gampaha District is married and the father of two children. He was fortunate to have be a very versatile person. He has several professions: technician; drummer; dancer and electrician.
On 26 June 2017, he departed to Anuradhapura from his home in Minuwangoda by motorcycle. After reaching Anuradhapura Sudath called his wife G. Sujeewa Dilhani and informed her and his children that he arrived safely at his workplace. He was to build a Pandal (‘Thorana’ in Sinhalese Language). He was responsible to develop and maintain the electric circuitry and supply management system of the Pandal.
On 12 July 2017, Sudath called his wife Sujeewa to say that he will return home early as he was able to finish his work successfully. Although he did not own a mobile phone himself, he used the mobile phone of one of the organizers of the celebration.
He had promised to return soon, but Sudath did not return home. Then Sujeewa called the organizers of the event in the Anuradhapura and questioned them about her husband. However, they did not reply and did not provide any details about Sudath. After waiting for several weeks, finally, Sujeewa went to the Minuwangoda Police Station and lodged a complaint on the disappearance of her husband. Recording the complaint, the Officers provided her the reference details as follows. No: CIB/1/171/408 and MCR/3110/2017.
Several days after making her complaint, she went to the Senior Deputy Inspector General’s Office (SDIG) of Anuradhapura and made a second complaint about the disappearance of Sudath. Her complaint was accepted.
Sujeewa states that after two months since the disappearance of her husband, she is still searching to know the fate of her husband. The Police have yet to make a prompt, efficient, full investigation into the disappearance of her husband who remains missing.
She states that the Police, as the local law enforcement agency, is responsible to investigate her complaint and arrest those who are responsible for Sudath’s disappearance and bring them to justice for this crime.
I request the intervention of your good offices to ensure that the Authorities listed below open an immediate investigation into allegations of violations of fundamental rights of the victim by Officers of the Sri Lanka Police Department. The officers involved should also be subject to an internal investigation for breach of Police Departmental orders.
Yours sincerely,
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PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:
1. Mr. Pujith Jayasundara
Inspector General of Police
New Secretariat
Colombo 1
SRI LANKA
Fax: +94 11 2 440440 / 327877
E-mail: igp@police.lk
2. Mr. Jayantha Jayasooriya PC
Attorney General
Attorney General’s Department
Colombo 12
SRI LANKA
Fax: +94 11 2 436421
E-mail: ag@attorneygeneral.gov.lk
3. Secretary
National Police Commission
3rd Floor, Rotunda Towers
109 Galle Road
Colombo 03
SRI LANKA
Tel: +94 11 2 395310
Fax: +94 11 2 395867
E-mail: npcgen@sltnet.lk or polcom@sltnet.lk
4. Secretary
Human Rights Commission
No. 36, Kynsey Road
Colombo 8
SRI LANKA
Tel: +94 11 2 694 925 / 673 806
Fax: +94 11 2 694 924 / 696 470
E-mail: sechrc@sltnet.lk
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Program
Asian Human Rights Commission (ua@ahrc.asia)
