[RE: UP-32-2005: SRI LANKA: Please write a letter to the Attorney General to speed up Gerald Perera’s murder trial; UP-23-2005: Gerald Perera’s murder trial may not begin for another 5-7 years, UP-14-2005: The assassin of Gerald Perera has been arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department, UP-76-2004: Gerald Perera died after gunshot; His family needs urgent protection, UP-74-2004: No action from the government to protect torture victim even after attempt on his life, UA-157-2004: Torture victim pursuing criminal torture case shot; UP-47-2002 (RE: UA/18 and 19/2002 – Torture by police, impunity and denial of proper rehabilitation; UP-44-2002 (RE: UA/18 and 19/2002 – Torture by police, impunity, denial of proper rehabilitation]
Dear friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) is pleased to inform you that the trial into the torture of Gerald Perera has finally commenced today at the Negombo High Court. Five police officers are charged under the Convention against Torture Act (Act No. 22 of 1994). The prosecution is being led by Savindra Fernando, a Senior State Counsel who is acting as the Special Prosecutor for this case.
In todays session, the widow of Gerald Perera, Padma Perera, gave evidence and narrated the manner in which the arrest had taken place. She also identified the accused and was cross examined by the lawyer for the first defendant. The case was postponed until 22 October 2005 on which date Padma will be further cross examined by the attorney for the second accused.
The AHRC welcomes this news and hopes that todays trial will eventually bring justice to Gerald in relation to his torture case.
BACKGROUND OF GERALD PERERAS CASE:
Waragodamudalige Gerald Mervin Perera, a father of three, was brutally tortured by eight police officers at the Wattala Police Station in Sri Lanka on 3 June 2002 after having been mistakenly identified in a murder case. Gerald was released from the police station on the morning of 4 June 2002 and was taken to the Navaloka Hospital in Colombo due to the severe pain he was suffering as a result of the torture he had endured. His situation was critical for some time with doctors believing that he may in fact die from his injuries.
The matter eventually went to the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka under the Fundamental Rights Application where Gerald was awarded a record amount in compensation.
However, prior to Gerald giving evidence in the Negombo High Court against seven accused police officers accused of torture under the Crimes against Torture Act, Gerald died of a gunshot wound after having been shot on 21 November 2005.
A murder trial is now pending, though this may not begin for another five to seven years.
To see the AHRC’s previous urgent appeals on Gerald’s case, please go to: UP-32-2005, UP-23-2005, UP-14-2005, UP-79-2004, UP-76-2004, UP-74-2004, UA-157-2004, MR-13-2002, MR-15-2002, AS-07-2003, UP-47-2002, UP-44-2002]
———————————-
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Desk
Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC)
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
