Dear Friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information regarding Mr. Aandige Charuka Malinda Peiris, a resident of Kantale Police Division. Malinda was illegally arrested by Police Officers of the Kantale Police Division on 21 June 2017. He was not given any reason for his arrest. He was detained in a cell, accused of supporting the escape of his village friend from Police arrest. The victim does not know where his friend is. He reiterated the fact that he has not been involved in any illegal activity. The victim stated that the Police acted arbitrarily and illegally, violating the Law.
Case Narrative:
The Asian Human Rights Commission has received information about Mr. Aandige Charuka Malinda Peiris, of No: 166/2/A, Bhathiyagama, Kantale in the Trincomalee District. Malinda is a day laborer and is married.
At 7 p.m. of 21 June 2017, while at home, 8 uniformed Police Officers came to Malinda’s
home and asked him to come outside. When outside, Officers dragged him with hands cuffed, put him in a parked vehicle and brought him to the Kantale Police Station. Malinda questioned the Officers as to the reason for his arrest. He was accused of supporting another to escape arrest. This particular villager was his childhood friend. Malinda denied helping his friend to escape arrest and leave the village. Malinda vehemently denied the accusations and entreated the Officers to release him.
The next day, 22 June, Malinda was produced before the Kantale Magistrate and released on bail.
Malinda states that he was illegally arrested and detained in a cell by the Kantale Police. They had violated his fundamental rights guaranteed him by the Constitution.
Suggested Action:
Please send letters to the Authorities listed below expressing your concern about this case. Request an immediate investigation into the allegations of illegal arrest by the Police. Prosecute those proved to be responsible under Criminal Law for misusing the powers of the State. The Officers involved must be subject to an internal investigation for breach of Police Departmental Orders. Please request the National Police Commission (NPC) and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to open a special investigation into the malpractices of Police Officers who abuse their powers.
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear _______
SRI LANKA: Innocent man illegally arrested under fabricated charges
Name of Victim: Mr. Aandige Charuka Malinda Peiris, of No: 166/2/A, Bhathiyagama, Kantale in the Trincomalee District
Alleged perpetrators: eight Police Officers attached to the Kantale Police Station
Date of incident: 21 June 2017
Place of incident: Kantale Police Division
According to information I have received Mr. Aandige Charuka Malinda Peiris, of No: 166/2/A, Bhathiyagama, Kantale in the Trincomalee District. Malinda is a day laborer and is married.
At 7 p.m. of 21 June 2017, while at home, 8 uniformed Police Officers came to Malinda’s
home and asked him to come outside. When outside, Officers dragged him with hands cuffed, put him in a parked vehicle and brought him to the Kantale Police Station. Malinda questioned the Officers as to the reason for his arrest. He was accused of supporting another to escape arrest. This particular villager was his childhood friend. Malinda denied helping his friend to escape arrest and leave the village. Malinda vehemently denied the accusations and entreated the Officers to release him.
The next day, 22 June, Malinda was produced before the Kantale Magistrate and released on bail.
Malinda states that he was illegally arrested and detained in a cell by the Kantale Police. They had violated his fundamental rights guaranteed him by the Constitution.
I request the intervention of your good offices. Ensure that the Authorities listed below open an immediate investigation into the allegations of violations of the fundamental rights of the victim by officers of the Sri Lanka Police Department. The officers involved should be subject to internal investigations 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)
