I am sure you are aware of the murder trial of Gerald Perera, a torture victim who was assassinated while waiting to give evidence in a trial against several police officers from the Wattala Police Station for severely torturing him. Prior to the assassination the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka held that these officers had severely tortured him, which resulted in him falling into a comma for over two weeks and also suffering from renal failure.
The Sri Lankan government reported to the UN agencies that inquiries had been conducted into this case and that they had established that the murder was carried out by some of the policemen out of fear that they may suffer a jail sentence for committing such torture.
In your speeches as the minister and particularly in your speech to the Human Rights Council you spoke on the need to protect human rights and also witness protection. The case of Gerald Perera is the most important case which has come before the Sri Lankan courts on the issue of witness protection as well as on the issue torture victims. This case has also attracted the international attention from many countries such as the United Kingdom and others and also the European Union. All the UN agencies have consistently made representation on this case.
Therefore it would be fitting for you to demonstrate your commitment to these issues by attending the Gampaha High Court on the 21st as an observer in this case.
I must further bring to your notice that the government of Sri Lanka which has admitted that the murder was carried out by these state officers has not paid any compensation to the widow and the family. The request to that effect has been made to the President of Sri Lanka and other authorities. I urge you that on the basis of your position as the Minister for Disaster Management and Human Rights to take appropriate steps to ensure that compensation be paid to the family of the late Gerald Perera for the murder done by the state officers.
Thank you.
Yours sincerely,
Basil Fernando
Executive Director
