Dear friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information concerning Mr. Don Bosco Dino alias Vindan Ridman 24, of Jaffna Police Division in the Jaffna District. He was extra-judicially murdered on 23 October 2017. Dino was shot at 3 p.m. on 22 October, by two individuals who appeared prepared and well-armed. He was brought to Jaffna Teaching Hospital but succumbed to his injuries on 23 October. The manner in which the attackers struck proves that it is part of a series of well-organized assaults by powerful actors. The relatives of the deceased expressed their right to know the truth of the situation through a full-scale independent investigation. THEY ARE LOOKING FOR JUSTICE.
CASE NARRATIVE:
Following is information received by the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) about Mr. Don Bosco Dino 24, alias Vindan Ridman of Udayapuram, Ariyale in the Jaffna District. Dino worked as a fisherman with the Ariyale Costal Fisheries Harbor.
On 22 October 2017, Dino, after finishing work, started on his way home by motorbike with a friend sitting behind him. On the way, at Toddy Tavern Junction, Maniyatottam, Ariyale in the Ariyale Jaffna Road, he observed another motorbike following him at a fast pace. Within a minute, two persons approached Dino’s bike and stopped right in front of him, blocking his way. The person in the back seat of the other motorbike opened fire, shooting him point blank. Wounded, Dino fell to the ground.
The assailants quickly left. Fishermen and residents of the area brought Dino to the Jaffna Teaching Hospital. He was admitted to the Emergency Room and directly brought to surgery undergoing several surgical procedures. Considering the severity of his wounds, the Doctors paid quick, exceptional attention and care to SAVE his life. However, at 9 p.m. on the next day, 23 October 2017, Dino succumbed to his injuries.
Dino’s relatives critically laid out what they considered to be the dangerous nature of this brutal killing and the responsibility of the perpetrators for this killing. They said that before his death Dino had no personal disputes with any friends, relatives or fellow workers. He was a very straight-forward, energetic adult who was free-thinking and always stood up for justice and truth. His generosity helped him to play a pivotal role in protecting the rights of people victimized by dominant State and non-State actors.
His relatives gave examples of the way in which the attackers were organized and armed to take Dino’s life. Their faces were covered with masks and they used a high-speed motorbike. The shooter precisely targeted Dino, firing his weapon and fatally injuring him. Attackers, without any problem, left the scene after successfully completing their plan. All these afore-mentioned steps proved that the attackers were well-trained. Furthermore, the Jaffna Peninsula is presently home to more than forty-thousand Government military personnel. Considering the usual military imposed regulations, any attackers could not easily carry out such an attack and leave the scene without being stopped. The question arises, was this incident a conspiracy or collusion?
These compassionate relatives are crying out for justice. They are calling for an independent investigation into the death of their young family member. Dino’s relatives hold the position that he was extra-judicially killed by some powerful unknown actor. Indications of the failure of the Investigation, suggests that this is another appalling example of the Sri Lankan Police System gone awry.
SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please write to the Authorities listed below expressing your concern about this case. Kindly request an immediate investigation into allegations of an extra-judicial killing by questionable, powerful unknown individuals. Prosecution of those proven to be responsible under Criminal Law is imperative. The Officers involved in delaying the investigation in this case, should face an internal investigation for breach of Police Departmental Orders (DOs). The AHRC will write a separate letter to the Special Rapporteur on Extra-judicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions in this regard.
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear ________,
SRI LANKA: Twenty-four year old fisherman extra-judicially shot and killed in Jaffna
Name of Victim: Mr. Don Bosco Dino alias Vindan Ridman of Udayapuram, Ariyale in Jaffna District
Alleged perpetrators: Unknown powerful individuals
Date of incident: 22 October 2017
Place of incident: Jaffna Police Division
According to information I have received, Mr. Mr. Don Bosco Dino 24, alias Vindan Ridman of Udayapuram, Ariyale in the Jaffna District. Dino worked as a fisherman with the Ariyale Costal Fisheries Harbor.
On 22 October 2017, Dino, after finishing work, started on his way home by motorbike with a friend sitting behind him. On the way, at Toddy Tavern Junction, Maniyatottam, Ariyale in the Ariyale Jaffna Road, he observed another motorbike following him at a fast pace. Within a minute, two persons approached Dino’s bike and stopped right in front of him, blocking his way. The person in the back seat of the other motorbike opened fire, shooting him point blank. Wounded, Dino fell to the ground.
The assailants quickly left. Fishermen and residents of the area brought Dino to the Jaffna Teaching Hospital. He was admitted to the Emergency Room and directly brought to surgery undergoing several surgical procedures. Considering the severity of his wounds, the Doctors paid quick, exceptional attention and care to SAVE his life. However, at 9 p.m. on the next day, 23 October 2017, Dino succumbed to his injuries.
Dino’s relatives critically laid out what they considered to be the dangerous nature of this brutal killing and the responsibility of the perpetrators for this killing. They said that before his death Dino had no personal disputes with any friends, relatives or fellow workers. He was a very straight-forward, energetic adult who was free-thinking and always stood up for justice and truth. His generosity helped him to play a pivotal role in protecting the rights of people victimized by dominant State and non-State actors.
His relatives gave examples of the way in which the attackers were organized and armed to take Dino’s life. Their faces were covered with masks and they used a high-speed motorbike. The shooter precisely targeted Dino, firing his weapon and fatally injuring him. Attackers, without any problem, left the scene after successfully completing their plan. All these afore-mentioned steps proved that the attackers were well-trained. Furthermore, the Jaffna Peninsula is presently home to more than forty-thousand Government military personnel. Considering the usual military imposed regulations, any attackers could not easily carry out such an attack and leave the scene without being stopped. The question arises, was this incident a conspiracy or collusion?
These compassionate relatives are crying out for justice. They are calling for an independent investigation into the death of their young family member. Dino’s relatives hold the position that he was extra-judicially killed by some powerful unknown actor. Indications of the failure of the Investigation, suggests that this is another appalling example of the Sri Lankan Police System gone awry.
I therefore, request your intervention to ensure that the Authorities listed below undertake an immediate investigation into the allegations of the extrajudicial killing of Mr. John Bosco Dino. The Officers involved must also be subject to an internal investigation for breach of 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)
