SRI LANKA: Efficient police investigation needed into mysterious deaths and the dismembered human body parts found scattered in several parts of the country

Dear Friends,

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information that human body parts have been found scattered in several parts of Sri Lanka between 14th March and 18th March 2015.  Dematagoda, Nawala, and Diyawanna Oya near Parliamentary Complex are the sites in Colombo where the body parts have been found. Yatiyantota and the Ampara are two other sites where dead body parts have shown up. In all these incidents, the bodies have either been decapitated or other body parts removed. Furthermore, the bodies bear evidence of burns and severe torture. There are indications that the scattered body parts are the result of extrajudicial killings having been carried out by state agencies in systematic manner. 

The Asian Human Rights Commission asks the state of Sri Lanka to take all measures to fulfill its obligations to the UN human rights conventions to which it is signatory – by protecting the fundamental rights of all citizens and by respecting their rights contained in the Constitution, which give meaning to the dignity of each member of society. 

CASE NARRATIVE:

Recently, the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information of gruesome killings in Sri Lanka, which have sent shockwaves through society. Severed and mangled body parts, and bodies showing signs of being burned and tortured have shown up in various parts of the country. 

1st Site: 

On Saturday, 14 March 2015, residents of Siridamma Mawatha, Dematagoda, observed a limbless torso near a garbage dumping area. This was partly burnt body of a male, without head and limbs. The victim was found to be wearing a green pair of shorts with no cover on the remaining part of the upper body. The residents further stated that it appeared like, before death, the man had been severely tortured. 

2nd Site: 

On Sunday, 14 March 2015, residents of Black Bridge, Dematagoda, noticed that pair of legs in a canal in the area. Residents gave information to the Dematagoda Police Station and are still awaiting independent investigation into the Saturday and Sunday findings. 

3rd Site: 

On Monday, 16 March 2015, residents of Nawala Road, Welikada Police Division, noticed that a part of a human arm was flowing downstream in a water canal. The residents informed the police, and officers started to approach the area and started to investigate the incident. The observers and the police officers later stated that the nails of four fingers of the arm had been forcibly twisted out before the death. This indicates torture. 

4th Site: 

A dead body with a severed left arm was found in the Diyawanna Oya, behind the Parliamentary Complex on the morning of 18 March 2015. Residents of the area informed the Mirihana Police Station and the officers are yet to begin investigating the finding. 

5th Site: 

Residents of Gomamaduwa in Yatiyantota, Kegalle District, observed a dead body flowing in the Kalani River on 18 March 2015. They reported the incident to the Yatiyantota Police Station. Several parts of the male body were missing at the time the body was found. After getting the information, the police said that, under the supervision of Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Seethawaka Police Division, an investigation has been initiated. 

6th Site: 

Residents of Konduwatuwan in Ampara District reported that a dead body was found floating in Konduwatuwan Water Reservoir on 18 March 2015. They stated that the lower part of the right leg of the dead body appeared to have been severed before death. The hands had been tied together with nylon thread. There were indications that nylon threads had been used to tie the body for some objective. The Headquarters Police Station of Ampara was notified and residents are awaiting the investigation. 

Regarding these mysterious deaths and the finding of body parts of dead bodies, a police spokesman has said a special police guard has been deployed to the crime scene until a Magistrate arrives for inspections. The spokesman further stated that the police is investigating these mysterious recoveries of human body parts and will conduct a DNA test to determine the identities of the victims. 

It is likely that the same suspects are involved in the series of killings and dismemberment. The media has repeatedly report that the police investigations reveal that the same group may be behind all the deaths and dismemberment because the nature of killings and the pattern of scattering body parts at different sites. The reports have also mentioned the belief of the police that the killers are attempting to terrify the whole society. The findings indicate a collapse of the rule of law and how extrajudicial killings occur when law enforcement agencies do not implement the law. 

The citizens of Sri Lanka demand justice for these killings without further delay. Protection is required for all citizens of the country. It has been emphasized by the civil society that there is need for prompt, effective, impartial, independent, and adequate measures against these criminal activities. They state that it is the duty of law enforcement agencies to uphold the rule of law and implement the law. Protection should be afforded to every citizen of Sri Lanka. For the good of the country, all the citizens must be able to continue their work unimpeded. 

The Asian Human Rights Commission requests the State of Sri Lanka to take effective measures to implement its obligations with respect to the UN human rights conventions to which it is a signatory. This can be accomplished by providing protection for the fundamental rights of every citizen while respecting and giving meaning to the rights enshrined in the Sri Lankan Constitution. 

SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please request the authorities to investigate and prosecute those proven to be responsible for misusing the powers of the state. Any officers found involved must be subject to internal investigations for breach of department orders. Request the NPC and the IGP to conduct a special investigation into the possible malpractices of the police officers involved for abuse of their powers.

Please note that the AHRC has also written a separate letter to the UN Special Rapporteur on Extra-judicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions informing him of this case. 

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