Dear _________,
SRI LANKA: Rape victim and her familys safety feared following the release of five suspects on bail
Name of the victim: Ms. X (Name withheld), aged 23, mother of a one-year-old boy
Alleged perpetrators:
1) Mervyn Nissanka Anthony of Mulleriyawa North, the security officer at the airport and main suspect
2) W. Indika Dewapriya Fernando of Amuna Road, Bandarawatte, Seeduwa
3) Shamindra Tharanga Kumara, of Pahala Ellawala
4) J.M. Ramesha Dimuthukumara of Elenegoda, Pamunugama
5) U.D. Sunil Shantha of Devatagolla, Minuwangoda
Date of rape incident: 10 October 2005
Place of rape incident: Inside of the Bandarnayake International Airport in Katunayake, Sri Lanka
Current status of the case: The victim has received several death threats and has tried to withdraw her complaints against the perpetrators as no protection has been provided to her and her family. Her alleged attackers have now been released on bail.
I am writing to raise my deep concern for the safety and security of a 23-year-old rape victim and her family. I have come to learn that the victim and her family have been receiving serious threats on their life but the local authorities in Sri Lanka have failed to take urgent action on this matter.
I am aware that the five suspects, including the main suspect Mervyn Nissanka Anthony, have been released on cash and surety bail. I am deeply concerned by this situation and fear that the alleged perpetrators may take advantage of this to further intimidate the victim and her family.
I urge your immediate intervention to provide protection to the victim and her family to ensure their safety while pursuing their case in court. I am deeply concerned that the victim may withdraw from the case because of these threats.
There must also be an impartial investigation conducted into the threats, intimidation and harassment made against the victim and her family. If the allegations are found to be true, appropriate charges must be filed against those responsible.
I trust that you will take action in this case.
Yours sincerely,
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SEND A LETTER TO:
1. Mr. Mahinda Rajapakse
President of Sri Lanka
Cambridge Place
Colombo 7
SRI LANKA
Fax: +94 11 2 682905 / 575454
E-mail: secpm@sltnet.lk or bradmanw@slt.lk
2. Mr. Chandra Fernando
Inspector General of Police (IGP)
New Secretariat
Colombo 1
SRI LANKA
Fax: +94 11 2 440440/327877
3. Mr. K. C. Kamalasabesan
Attorney General
Attorney General's Department
Colombo 12
SRI LANKA
Fax: +94 11 2 436 421
4. Dr. Radhika Coomaraswamy
Chairperson
Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka
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
5. The National Police Commission
c/o Mr. Mahinda Rajapakse
President of Sri Lanka
Cambridge Place
Colombo 7
SRI LANKA
Fax: +94 11 2 682905 / 575454
E-mail: secpm@sltnet.lk or bradmanw@slt.lk
6. Ms. Yakin Erturk
Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women
c/o Ms Lucinda Ohanlon
Room 3-042
OHCHR-UNOG, Palais Wilson,
8-14 Avenue de la Paix,
1211 Geneva 10
SWITZERLAND
Tel: +41 22 917 9615
Fax: +41 22 917 9006
Email: lohanlon@ohchr.org
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission
