Dear Friends,
Gorakaduwa Gamage Maleesha Nalinpriya (10) of Mahagedara Watte, Bataduwa, Galle, was a resident of Galle District. Maleesha went missing on 10 August 2017. He was residing and training to be ordained at Yatagala Raja Maha Viharaya Buddhist Temple at Unawatuna Galle.
On 10 August, Maleesha with four other monks and a young boy visited Welle Devalaya Temple. It is dedicated to a respected local god. It was the annual feast and the festival of the Temple. After meeting at the site, Maleesha went to shop with another neighbor whom he met there. Ever since then Maleesha has been missing. The case was reported to the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Habaraduwa Police Station on 11 August. But, the Police have yet to start a full investigation into the complaint.
Case Narrative:
Gorakaduwa Gamage Maleesha Nalinpriya (10) of Mahagedara Watte, Bataduwa, Galle was a resident of Galle District. He was the eldest son of his family. He had a four year-old younger sister.
Maleesha was residing and training for several months to be ordained at Yatagala Raja Maha Viharaya, a Buddhist Temple at Unawatuna Galle.
On 10 August 2017, Maleesha with four other Buddhist monks and a young boy from the same village, residents of the same Temple, went to visit the ‘Welle Devalaya’. It is a Temple devoted to a locally respected God. It was prime time for the annually held feast. Tens of thousands of devotees and people participated in the festival.
Maleesha, with four monks and a young boy, reached the festival site where they met a neighbor, Mr. Asela. Maleesha and Asela went shopping for some food items. The others would wait until they returned. After 2 hours Asela came back and said that he lost Maleesha in the crowds. But the monks argued that he was irresponsible to leave without finding him.
Later, both the monks and Mr. Asela searched all over the festival area but they could not find Maleesha. The monks came to the Temple the next day, 11 August, and searched the site a second time. Many concerned individuals helped search the area including an abandoned beach, without any success.
The monks lodged a complaint which was accepted by the Officer-in-Charge of the Habaraduwa Police Station on 11 August 2017. Mr. Asela was the last person to see the missing child and he must be questioned. Following the findings of the interrogation, the Police must keep on with the investigation. The monks believe that the Police should look into the possibility that this was an abduction by individuals with malicious intent.
Due to the lethargic and inefficient approach of the Habaraduwa Police Station Officers, Maleesha’s whereabouts remain unknown. Concerned parties urged the Police to initiate a prompt, efficient, full investigation into the case of the missing child. All possible measures should be taken to protect the life and well-being of the young monk.
Suggested Action:
Please send letters to the Authorities listed below expressing your concern about this case. Request an immediate Police investigation into allegations of not properly investigating this missing person’s case. Those proven to be responsible under the Law should be prosecuted. Please recommend the National Police Commission (NPC) and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to open a special investigation into the malpractice of Police Officers abusing power.
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear ________,
SRI LANKA: Ten year old boy missing in Unawatuna
Name of Victims: Gorakaduwa Gamage Maleesha Nalinpriya (10) of Mahagedara Watte, Bataduwa, Galle
Alleged perpetrators: 1) unknown individuals
2) Police officers attached to the Habaraduwa Police Station.
Date of incident: 10 August 2017
Place of incident: Habaraduwa Police Division
According to the information I have received Gorakaduwa Gamage Maleesha Nalinpriya (10) of Mahagedara Watte, Bataduwa, Galle was a resident of Galle District. He was the eldest son of his family. He had a four year-old younger sister.
Maleesha was residing and training for several months to be ordained at Yatagala Raja Maha Viharaya, a Buddhist Temple at Unawatuna Galle.
On 10 August 2017, Maleesha with four other Buddhist monks and a young boy from the same village, residents of the same Temple, went to visit the ‘Welle Devalaya’. It is a Temple devoted to a locally respected God. It was prime time for the annually held feast. Tens of thousands of devotees and people participated in the festival.
Maleesha, with four monks and a young boy, reached the festival site where they met a neighbor, Mr. Asela. Maleesha and Asela went shopping for some food items. The others would wait until they returned. After 2 hours Asela came back and said that he lost Maleesha in the crowds. But the monks argued that he was irresponsible to leave without finding him.
Later, both the monks and Mr. Asela searched all over the festival area but they could not find Maleesha. The monks came to the Temple the next day, 11 August, and searched the site a second time. Many concerned individuals helped search the area including an abandoned beach, without any success.
The monks lodged a complaint which was accepted by the Officer-in-Charge of the Habaraduwa Police Station on 11 August 2017. Mr. Asela was the last person to see the missing child and he must be questioned. Following the findings of the interrogation, the Police must keep on with the investigation. The monks believe that the Police should look into the possibility that this was an abduction by individuals with malicious intent.
Due to the lethargic and inefficient approach of the Habaraduwa Police Station Officers, Maleesha’s whereabouts remain unknown. Concerned parties urged the Police to initiate a prompt, efficient, full investigation into the case of the missing child. All possible measures should be taken to protect the life and well-being of the young monk.
I request the intervention of your good offices. Ensure that the Authorities listed below open an immediate investigation into alleged violations of fundamental rights of the victim by Officers of the Sri Lanka Police Department. The Officers involved should face an internal investigation for breach of Police Departmental orders.
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 Program
Asian Human Rights Commission (ua@ahrc.asia)
