Dear Friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information regarding Mr. Edirisinghe Mudiyanselage Samitha Lakmal (18), of No: 65/11, Deewaragama, Kantale in the Trincomalee District who lives in Kantale Police Division. He was severely tortured by two Police Officers attached to the Kantale Police Station and two other assailants who allegedly participated in the torture following the instructions of the Police. Later Samitha was admitted to the Kantale District Hospital for treatment and discharged two dayslater. Presently he is in hiding, in fear of his life and further harassment by the Police. The victim seeks justice.
Case Narrative:
Mr. Edirisinghe Mudiyanselage Samitha Lakmal (18), of No: 65/11, Deewaragama, Kantale in the Trincomalee District, just left school and was looking for a job. Samitha is a friendly and generous young man among the villagers. Following a request by a friend, on 13 June 2017, at 6:30 p.m. he went to the Kantale Water Reservoir with them in a three-wheeler. On their way, at the Bogaha Junction on the Kantale-Thrincomalee Road, they were obstructed by a car. Two police officers came out of the car, as well as two persons in plain clothes.
They started to assault Samitha and the other two men in the three-wheeler. Samitha could identify two police officers and two other persons in plainclothes. It was obvious that all four of them were under the influence of alcohol, quite intoxicated.
The two officers took the lead to beat Samitha, while the other two persons participated and supported the police officers in their assault. Samitha was beaten on his arms, legs, buttocks, back and chest. Samitha pleaded with the officers not to assault him, but in their drunken state the officers continued. After the Police left the scene, Samitha went to the water reservoir, bought fish and started to return home.
On his way back home, he was again stopped by the same police officers who began to assault him and his friends for the second time. They were not questioned or given any reason for this illegal behavior. Samitha then drove directly to the Kantale Police Station, where he made a written complaint of assault by two intoxicated police officers, and two in plain clothes. Samitha later went to the Kantale District Hospital for treatment, and was discharged the next day.
Since then, Samitha learned that the Police are waiting to illegally arrest and detain him, and file fabricated charges against him. For his safety, Samitha was forced to leave his village and hide. Presently he is living in fear of his life and further harassment by the Police.
Suggested Action:
Please send letters to the authorities listed below expressing your concern about this case. Request an immediate investigation into the allegations of torture by the Police, and prosecution of those proved to be responsible for misusing the powers of the State. The officers involved must also be subject to an internal investigation for breach of Police Departmental Orders. Please request the National Police Commission and the Inspector General of Police to open a special investigation into the malpractices of Police Officers who abuse their powers.
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear _______
SRI LANKA: Intoxicated police officers arbitrarily torture young man
Name of Victims: Mr. Edirisinghe Mudiyanselage Samitha Lakmal (18), of No: 65/11, Deewaragama, Kantale in the Trincomalee District
Alleged perpetrators: Police Officers attached to the Kantale Police Station and two men who were in plain clothes
Date of incident: On 13 June 2017
Place of incident: Kantale Police Division
According to information I have received Mr. Edirisinghe Mudiyanselage Samitha Lakmal (18), of No: 65/11, Deewaragama, Kantale in the Trincomalee District, just left school and was looking for a job. Samitha is a friendly and generous young man among the villagers. Following a request by a friend, on 13 June 2017, at 6:30 p.m. he went to the Kantale Water Reservoir with them in a three-wheeler. On their way, at the Bogaha Junction on the Kantale-Thrincomalee Road, they were obstructed by a car. Two police officers came out of the car, as well as two persons in plain clothes.
They started to assault Samitha and the other two men in the three-wheeler. Samitha could identify two police officers and two other persons in plainclothes. It was obvious that all four of them were under the influence of alcohol, quite intoxicated.
The two officers took the lead to beat Samitha, while the other two persons participated and supported the police officers in their assault. Samitha was beaten on his arms, legs, buttocks, back and chest. Samitha pleaded with the officers not to assault him, but in their drunken state the officers continued. After the Police left the scene, Samitha went to the water reservoir, bought fish and started to return home.
On his way back home, he was again stopped by the same police officers who began to assault him and his friends for the second time. They were not questioned or given any reason for this illegal behavior. Samitha then drove directly to the Kantale Police Station, where he made a written complaint of assault by two intoxicated police officers, and two in plain clothes. Samitha later went to the Kantale District Hospital for treatment, and was discharged the next day.
Since then, Samitha learned that the Police are waiting to illegally arrest and detain him, and file fabricated charges against him. For his safety, Samitha was forced to leave his village and hide. Presently he is living in fear of his life and further harassment by the Police.
I request the intervention of your good offices to ensure that the authorities open an immediate investigation into the allegations of torture. The officers involved should also be subject to internal investigations for breach of Police Departmental Orders.
Yours sincerely,
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PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:
1. Mr. PujithJayasundara
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
Urgent Appeals Program
