Dear friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information that police officers allegedly assaulted a man who intervened in another assault by the officers on 23 July 2008 in Sri Lanka. Those officers threatened him and attempted to stop him from getting his injuries treated at the hospital.
CASE DETAILS: (Based on the testimony of Ravindra Indrasiri Wanniarachchi)
Ravindra Indrasiri Wanniarachchi (30) married with two children was a small scale businessman who managed his familys hotel, Dammika Hotel in Athura, Bulathsinhala.
On 23 July 2008 at about 9:30pm, Ravindra was sitting as usual in the cashier’s seat in his hotel. Police sergeant Jayantha (Ps 12296) of the Bulathsinhala Police Station came in and assaulted two of his customers namely K. P. Mahesh Bandy Kumara and Samantha Pushpa Kumara. They were attacked and slapped on the sides of the face below the eyes.
When Ravindra asked why they were assaulted, sergeant Jayantha turned, hitting him on the cheek saying, it is none of your business. During the assault, he tripped and fell striking his head on a nearby cupboard and blacked out.
Ravindra was then taken in a three-wheeler by his mother to the Bulathsinhala hospital. He was given some tablets to take and referred to the Horana Hospital. On the way to the Horana Hospital the three-wheeler stopped at his shop so that he could pick up some clothing.
At this point, some police officers including sergeant Jayantha of the Bulathsinhala Police Station came in a police jeep and tried to stop Ravindra from being taken to the hospital. Sergeant Jayatha scolded and threatened Ravindra’s mother and father, finally shoving the father. As a result, Ravindra’s father,who has a cardiac condition, had to be given medical treatment. Ravindra was taken to the Horana hospital where he was treated and discharged the next day.
Ravindra informed the doctors who examined him at the Horana hospital that he had been assaulted by sergeant Jayanth of the Bulathsinhala Police. The hospital police took a statement regarding the assault. Ravindra claims that the hotel had to be closed due to threats made by these police officers.
On August 4, Ravindra lodged complaints with the Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission, the National Police Commission, the Inspector General of Police and the Deputy Inspector General Kalutara.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
The gross abuse of power by officers of the law in this incident violated the fundamental rights of Ravindra, as enshrined in Chapter 3 of the Constitution of Sri Lanka. See in particular Section 11 which calls for freedom from torture, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment, Section 12 and Section 14 may also be relevant.
SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please write to the local authorities listed below and demand a prompt and thorough investigation into the case.
The AHRC has also written separate letter to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Question of Torture calling for intervention in this case.
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear __________,
SRI LANKA: Police allegedly assault family members
Name of victim: Ravindra Indrasiri Wanniarachchi (30) married, two children. Small scale businessman
Name of alleged perpetrators: Sergeant Jayantha and other officers attached to the Bulathsinhala Police Station
Date of incident: 23 July 2008
Place of incident: Dammika Hotel, Athura, Bulathsinhala
I write to you out of deep concern for the alleged gross abuse of powers exhibited by sergeant Jayantha and other officers of the Bulathsinhala police on 23 July 2008.
I am informed that sergeant Jayantha walked into the hotel managed by Ravindra and assaulted two customers there. When Ravindra asked why he had attacked these persons,he too was assaulted. Ravindra as a result of the attack blacked out and required medical treatment.
I am also informed that when Ravindra was being taken to the hospital by his mother, sergeant Jayantha and some other officers came in a police jeep, threatened them and tried to stop them. Ravindra’s father, a cardiac patient, had to get medical treatment because of this encounter.
Such flagrant acts by law-enforcement officers have violated the fundamental rights, as enshrined in the Constitution of Sri Lanka, of Ravindra and his family. The officers acted in an undisciplined, non-professional manner unbecoming in their service of the people. They conducted themselves like thugs, scolding, threatening, pushing and assaulting which amounts to a gross abuse of power. This kind of behavior cannot be tolerated and must be stopped immediately.
Accordingly, I strongly urge you to inquire into this incident so that those responsible are properly investigated and punished according to the law. I also urge you to ensure proper protection for Ravindra and his family from any possible further harassment by the officers. I further urge you to provide compensation for their economic loss in getting medical treatment.
Yours sincerely,
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PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:
1. Mr. Jayantha Wickramaratne
Inspector General of Police
New Secretariat
Colombo 1
SRI LANKA
Fax: +94 11 2 440440/327877
E-mail: igp@police.lk
2. 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
3. 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@ahrchk.org)
