Dear Friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information that Mr. Shanmugam Selvarajah from Velikkulam in Vavuniya was abducted by an unknown group of persons on 21 June 2016. He was later found near the Settikulam area in Varikuttiyar in Vavuniya. Repeated complaints by relatives to the Vavuniva Headquarters Police Station seeking immediate intervention, and calling for an investigation went unheeded. The police have neither arrested any person responsible for his abduction nor have they taken any action whatsoever to prosecute those responsible. The case illustrates the exceptional collapse of the rule of law in the country.
CASE NARRATIVE:
Mr. Shanmugam Selvarajah (55), a businessman, was abducted by an unknown group of persons on 21st June 2016, Tuesday evening, in Vavuniya. The incident was covered by the public media and raised public concerns. This is because “white van abductions’ have been reported in several parts in Sri Lanka recently.
Owner of S.S.R. Rice Mills and groceries, Mr. Shanmugam Selvarajah, was returning home from his business centre on his motorbike when he was abducted. He has abducted from in front of his house at Ranee Mill Lane at Velikkulam in Vavuniya at around 6 p.m. The family members immediately complained to the Vavuniyava Headquarters Police Station and requested their urgent intervention to search the whereabouts of Mr. Shanmugam and pleaded to take all the necessary measures to secure his life. Even after several days later police were not able to provide any information, and his family was in a state of panic.
After relatives lodged a complaint with the police, they rushed to the place where he was abducted and recovered his motorbike and mobile phone.
Head of Vavuniya Chamber of Commerce T.K Rajalingham called for an emergency meeting on June 22nd, Wednesday, to discuss the next course of action on the shocking abduction in the heavily guarded main town in Vavuniya District. Later, on June 23rd night, the abductors released the victim. He was released at the Settikulam in Varikuttiyar area in Vavuniya.
To date, the police have not properly investigated the incident. They have not arrested any of the perpetrators responsible either. The abductions, torture, and killing have been reported in several parts of the country, continuously spreading a wave of fear once again throughout the country.
The family members of the victim state that the police inaction of not conducting an investigating into the abduction, not prosecuting the responsible culprits promptly and effectively, and not providing security to its citizens have violated the fundamental rights of Shanmugham. They demand justice.
SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please write to the authorities listed below expressing your concern about this case and requesting an immediate investigation into the allegations of the police not investigating the case of abduction of a businessman and not prosecuting those proven to be responsible, under the criminal law of the country.
The officers involved must also be subjected to internal investigations for the breach of the departmental orders of the police department.
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear ________,
SRI LANKA: Police fail to investigate the abduction of a businessman in Vavuniya
Name of Victim: Mr. Shanmugam Selvarajah (55) of Ranee Mill Lane at Velikkulam in Vavuniya
Alleged perpetrators: Officers attached to the Vavuniya Headquarters Police Station
Date of incident: 21 June 2016
Place of incident: Vavuniya Police Division
According to the information I have received Mr. Mr. Shanmugam Selvarajah (55), a businessman, was abducted by an unknown group of persons on 21st June 2016, Tuesday evening, in Vavuniya. The incident was covered by the public media and raised public concerns. This is because “white van abductions’ have been reported in several parts in Sri Lanka recently.
Owner of S.S.R. Rice Mills and groceries, Mr. Shanmugam Selvarajah, was returning home from his business centre on his motorbike when he was abducted. He has abducted from in front of his house at Ranee Mill Lane at Velikkulam in Vavuniya at around 6 p.m. The family members immediately complained to the Vavuniyava Headquarters Police Station and requested their urgent intervention to search the whereabouts of Mr. Shanmugam and pleaded to take all the necessary measures to secure his life. Even after several days later police were not able to provide any information, and his family was in a state of panic.
After relatives lodged a complaint with the police, they rushed to the place where he was abducted and recovered his motorbike and mobile phone.
Head of Vavuniya Chamber of Commerce T.K Rajalingham called for an emergency meeting on June 22nd, Wednesday, to discuss the next course of action on the shocking abduction in the heavily guarded main town in Vavuniya District. Later, on June 23rd night, the abductors released the victim. He was released at the Settikulam in Varikuttiyar area in Vavuniya.
To date, the police have not properly investigated the incident. They have not arrested any of the perpetrators responsible either. The abductions, torture, and killing have been reported in several parts of the country, continuously spreading a wave of fear once again throughout the country.
The family members of the victim state that the police inaction of not conducting an investigating into the abduction, not prosecuting the responsible culprits promptly and effectively, and not providing security to its citizens have violated the fundamental rights of Shanmugham. They demand justice.
I request the intervention of your good offices to ensure that the authorities listed below instigate an immediate investigation into the allegations abduction of a businessman by an unknown group of people. The officers involved for not implementing the rule of law effectively must also be subjected to internal investigations for the breach of the orders of the police department.
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)
