Dear Friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information regarding Mr. Randeer Kaushalya (22), resident of Ragama Police Division, Gampaha District. On 15 August 2017, Randeer was illegally arrested by Police of the Ragama Police Division. He was not given any reason for his arrest. After detaining him at the Police Station, he was accused of supporting several young men who were subjects of search arrest. The victim was unaware of the identity of the young men. He stated that the Police acted arbitrary, illegally and violated the Law.
Case Narrative:
The Asian Human Rights Commission has received information about Mr. Randeer Kaushalya, of Kurukulawa, Ragama in the Gampaha District. Randeer is working as a business assistant in Ragama Town.
On 15 August 2017 at 5:30 p.m., while Randeer was near his home on his way back from work, 5 uniformed Police Officers stopped him and followed him home. They said they were going to arrest him. His mother questioned the Officers as to the reason WHY. They simply stated that after recording Randeer’s statement they will release him. Randeer and his mother both opposed the Officers arresting him and pleaded his innocence.
He was brought to the Ragama Police Station. The Officers accused Randeer of assisting his friends to commit some thefts. Randeer questioned the names of the suspected persons and the nature in which he had assisted those suspects. When the Officers mentioned the names and nature of the crime, the victim was able to categorically deny ALL allegations leveled against him. Still, the Police sent him to the Negombo Police Station for further inquiry. He was produced before the Negombo Magistrate’s Court and remanded. Randeer still does not know the allegations lodged against him in the Courts. He continuously demands justice. He pleaded his innocence all the time.
Randeer states that he was illegally arrested, detained in a cell at the Ragama and Negombo Police Stations and had his fundamental rights, guaranteed to him by the Constitution, violated.
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 the 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: Young man illegally arrested by Ragama Police
Name of Victim: Mr. Randeer Kaushalya, of Kurukulawa, Ragama in the Gampaha District
Alleged perpetrators:
1) Five Police Officers attached to the Ragama Police Station
2) Officer-in-Charge of the Negombo Police Station
Date of incident: 15 August 2017
Place of incident: Ragama Police Division
According to information I have received about the case of Mr. Randeer Kaushalya, of Kurukulawa, Ragama is a resident in the Gampaha District. Randeer is working as a business assistant in Ragama Town.
On 15 August 2017 at 5:30 p.m., while Randeer was near his home on his way back from work, 5 uniformed Police Officers stopped him and followed him home. They said they were going to arrest him. His mother questioned the Officers as to the reason WHY. They simply stated that after recording Randeer’s statement they will release him. Randeer and his mother both opposed the Officers arresting him and pleaded his innocence.
He was brought to the Ragama Police Station. The Officers accused Randeer of assisting his friends to commit some thefts. Randeer questioned the names of the suspected persons and the nature in which he had assisted those suspects. When the Officers mentioned the names and nature of the crime, the victim was able to categorically deny ALL allegations leveled against him. Still, the Police sent him to the Negombo Police Station for further inquiry. He was produced before the Negombo Magistrate’s Court and remanded. Randeer still does not know the allegations lodged against him in the Courts. He continuously demands justice. He pleaded his innocence all the time.
Randeer states that he was illegally arrested, detained in a cell at the Ragama and Negombo Police Stations and had his fundamental rights, guaranteed to him by the Constitution, violated.
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 also 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 Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission (ua@ahrc.asia)
