Dear Friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information regarding Mr. Vedamahagedara Janaka Aruna Shantha (40) of Udispaththuwa, Theldeniya a resident of Theldeniya Police Division. On 15 August 2017, Aruna was illegally arrested by Police Officers attached to the Negombo Headquarters Police Station. At the time of arrest he was not given the reason for his arrest. After detaining him at the Police Station, he was accused of aiding and abetting a crime of theft. From the beginning he denied the charges. He was later produced before the Courts on fabricated charges. He stated that the Police acted arbitrarily, illegally and violated the Law.
Case Narrative:
The Asian Human Rights Commission has received information about Mr. Vedamahagedara Janaka Aruna Shantha (40) of Udispaththuwa, Theldeniya in Theldeniya Police Division in the Kandy District.
On 15 August 2017, Aruna came to Negombo Town with the hope of getting the connecting bus directly to Kandy from Negombo to return to his home in Kandy. While he was there, several Police Officers approached and questioned him on his identity. He successfully provided the necessary details. However, the Officers informed him that he had to accompany them for further questioning. Later he was brought to the Negombo Headquarters Police Station and detained.
At the Police Station, Aruan was questioned in detail for the reason of his coming to Negombo and his itinerary. He satisfactorily answered the Officers. On the next day 16 August 2017, he was produced before the Negombo Magistrate’s Court accusing him of aiding and abetting a crime of theft. The victim was unaware of the charges leveled against him. Aruna continuously affirmed his position that he has never committed any crime and neither aided or abetted anyone to commit a crime. ARUNA IS PLEADING HIS INNOCENCE.
Aruna states that he was illegally arrested, detained in a cell at the Negombo Police Station and produced before the Courts on fabricated. He charges they violated his fundamental rights, guaranteed by the Constitution.
Suggested Action:
Please send letters to the Authorities listed below expressing your concern about this case. Request an immediate investigation into the allegations of illegal arrest, detention and appearing before the Courts on fabricated charges. Prosecute those proved to be responsible under the Law for misusing the powers of the State. The officers involved must be subject to an internal investigation for breach of Police Departmental Orders. 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: Innocent man illegally arrested by Negombo Police
Name of Victim: Mr. Vedamahagedara Janaka Aruna Shantha (40) of Udispaththuwa, Theldeniya in Theldeniya Police Division in Kandy District.
Alleged perpetrators: Several Police Officers attached to the Negombo Police Station
Date of incident: 15 August 2017
Place of incident: Negombo Police Division
According to information I have received information about the case of Mr. Vedamahagedara Janaka Aruna Shantha (40) of Udispaththuwa, Theldeniya in Theldeniya Police Division in the Kandy District.
On 15 August 2017, Aruna came to Negombo Town with the hope of getting the connecting bus directly to Kandy from Negombo to return to his home in Kandy. While he was there, several Police Officers approached and questioned him on his identity. He successfully provided the necessary details. However, the Officers informed him that he had to accompany them for further questioning. Later he was brought to the Negombo Headquarters Police Station and detained.
At the Police Station, Aruan was questioned in detail for the reason of his coming to Negombo and his itinerary. He satisfactorily answered the Officers. On the next day 16 August 2017, he was produced before the Negombo Magistrate’s Court accusing him of aiding and abetting a crime of theft. The victim was unaware of the charges leveled against him. Aruna continuously affirmed his position that he has never committed any crime and neither aided or abetted anyone to commit a crime. ARUNA IS PLEADING HIS INNOCENCE.
Aruna states that he was illegally arrested, detained in a cell at the Negombo Police Station and produced before the Courts on fabricated. He charges they violated his fundamental rights, guaranteed by the Constitution.
I request the intervention of your good offices. Ensure that the Authorities listed below open an immediate investigation into the allegations of violations of the fundamental rights of the victim by Officers of the Sri Lanka Police Department. 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. 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)
