Dear Friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information regarding Mr. Juwan Arachchilage Lakshan Sandaruwan (18), of No: 120/1, Thrincomalee Road, Kantale in the Trincomalee District. 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. Sandaruwan was later admitted to the Kantale District Hospital for treatment and discharged two days later. Presently he is in hiding, in fear of his life and further harassment by the Police. THE VICTIM SEEKS JUSTICE.
Case Narrative:
Mr. Juwan Arachchilage Lakshan Sandaruwan (18), of No: 120/1, Thrincomalee Road, Kantale in the Trincomalee District. On 13 June 2017, at 6:30 p.m. Sandaruwan was severely tortured by a group of Police Officers at the Kantale Water Reservoir.
Sandaruwan was able to identify the Officers as Police Sergeant (PS) Wickramanayaka Pathiranage Dinesh Kumara Gunawardana (49), Police Sergeant (PS) Disanayaka Mudiyanselage Priyankara Udaya Bandara (51) and 2 civilian supporters in plain clothes who worked along with the police officers, Mr. Saroj Nandana Weerasekara and Mr. Sajith Nishantha Samarahewa.
Because of the torture, Sandaruwan was wounded and immediately admitted for treatment at the Kantale Base Hospital. He was discharged from the Hospital the next day, 14 June.
Several days later, Sandaruwan learned that the Police were waiting to illegally arrest and detain him, and file fabricated charges against him. For his own safety, Sandaruwan 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 (DOs). Please request the National Police Commission (NPC) and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) 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: Young man allegedly tortured by Police
Name of Victims: Mr. Juwan Arachchilage Lakshan Sandaruwan (18), of No: 120/1, Thrincomalee Road, Kantale in the Trincomalee District
Alleged perpetrators: Police Officers attached to the Kantale Police Station and two men in plain clothes
Date of incident: On 13 June 2017
Place of incident: Kantale Police Division
According to information I have received Mr. Juwan Arachchilage Lakshan Sandaruwan (18), of No: 120/1, Thrincomalee Road, Kantale in the Trincomalee District. On 13 June 2017, at 6:30 p.m. Sandaruwan was severely tortured by a group of Police Officers at the Kantale Water Reservoir.
Sandaruwan was able to identify the Officers as Police Sergeant (PS) Wickramanayaka Pathiranage Dinesh Kumara Gunawardana (49), Police Sergeant (PS) Disanayaka Mudiyanselage Priyankara Udaya Bandara (51) and 2 civilian supporters in plain clothes who worked along with the police officers, Mr. Saroj Nandana Weerasekara and Mr. Sajith Nishantha Samarahewa.
Because of the torture, Sandaruwan was wounded and immediately admitted for treatment at the Kantale Base Hospital. He was discharged from the Hospital the next day, 14 June.
Several days later, Sandaruwan learned that the Police were waiting to illegally arrest and detain him, and file fabricated charges against him. For his own safety, Sandaruwan 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 be subject to internal investigations for breach of Police Departmental Orders.
Yours sincerely,
———————
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)
