Dear friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information regarding the alleged attack on a student on 10 October 2007. He is the brother of a torture victim who was earlier tortured by the Vavuniya police (See further: UA-183-2007). His brother, the torture victim, has stayed in another place for security reasons. He is scheduled to come before the court on 30 November 2007.
CASE DETAILS: (Based on testimony from the victim’s mother)
Nuwantha Shiran Dias, 16 years old, is a year 9 student of the Gamini Maha Vidiyalaya, Vavuniaya. He is a younger brother of Ruwantha Chrishantha Dias whom the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) from Vavuniya police station tortured after arrest on 22 May 2007 (See further: UA-183-2007).
On 10 October 2007, Nuwantha Dias was riding a bicycle in the Vavuniya main road to bring lunch for his father. Suddenly a police motor cycle (No. M.L. 9326) came and hit his bicycle. The rider was identified as Police Constable (PC) Tennakoon 47472 from Vavuniya police station. After the incident the police constable offered no assistance to Nuwantha Dias and instead left the scene.
Due to this incident his right leg was broken and he remained waiting on the road until his mother came and took him to the Vavuniya hospital. Then, he was transferred to the Anuradapura hospital for an operation on October 12.
Nuwantha’s mother made a complaint to the police station on 20 October 2007 (Case No. B 1257/07). To date, no investigation has reportedly been conducted into this case. In the meantime, the court date for his brother’s case is dated on 30 November 2007.
Even though there is no clear evidence of connection between the police attack to Nuwantha Dias and the case which his brother, Ruwantha Chrishantha Dias has brought, concerns have been raised that the police attacked Nuwantha Dias in order to prevent the family members from continuing to hold the torture case before the court.
SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please write to the relevant authorities listed below and urge them to thoroughly investigate this case without delay. Please also urge them to take immediate action against those responsible. Compensation has to provide to the victim. The AHRC is also writing separate letter to the United Nations Special Rapportuer on the Question of Torture for his intervention in this case.
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear __________,
SRI LANKA: Vavuniya police allegedly attacked a family member of torture victim
Name of victim: Nuwantha Shiran Dias (16), year 9 student of the Gamini Maha Vidiyalaya, Vavuniaya, resident of No. 122, Tekkawatte, Vavuniya
Name of alleged perpetrator: P. C.Tennakoon (47472), Vavuniya, Vavuniya Division, Wanni Range
Date of incident: 10 October 2007
Place of Incident: In the main road of Vavuniya
I am writing to voice my deep concern regarding the alleged attack on family member of torture victim by Vavuniya police on 10 October 2007.
I am informed that Nuwantha Shiran Dias is 16-year-old student and a younger brother of Ruwantha Chrishantha Dias whom Special Investigation Unit (SIU) from Vavuniya police station had tortured after arrest on 22 May 2007.
According to the information received, Nuwantha Dias was riding a bicycle in the Vavuniya main road to bring a lunch for his father. Suddenly a police motor cycle (No. M.L. 9326) came and hit his bicycle on 10 October 2007. It was identified as Police Constable (PC) Tennakoon 47472 from Vavuniya police station. After the incident however, the police constable did not take Nuwantha Dias to a hospital for medical check up and escaped from the scene. Due to this attack, his right leg was broken and left on the road until his mother came and took him to the Vavuniya hospital. Then, he was transferred to the Anuradapura hospital for an operation on October 12.
Nuwantha’s mother made a complaint to the police station on 20 October 2007 (Case No. B 1257/07). To date, no investigation has reportedly been conducted into this case. In the mean time, the court is dated on 30 November 2007.
According to the information received, his family members doubted that this police attacked to the family member in order to impede the family members to continue the torture case of Ruwantha Chrishantha Dias before the court.
In light of the above, I urge you to conduct impartial investigation into this case without delay and to take legal or disciplinary action against the responsible. I also urge you to provide adequate and proper compensation for physical and physical consequences he has to suffer. I further urge you to ensure that the family members be protected from any further threats or harms.
I earnestly look forward to your prompt action into this matter.
Yours sincerely,
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PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTER TO:
1. Mr. Victor Perera
Inspector General of Police
New Secretariat
Colombo 1
SRI LANKA
Fax: +94 11 2 440440/327877
E-mail: igp@police.lk
2. Mr. C.R. De Silva
Attorney General
Attorney General’s Department
Colombo 12
SRI LANKA
Fax: +94 11 2 436421
E-mail: attorney@sri.lanka.net
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
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@ahrchk.org)
