Dear friends
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) is gravely concerned that Mr. K.P.Tissa Kumara is being kept in a solitary cell, even though he was diagnosed with tuberculosis at the Nagoda General Hospital on 30 April 2004. After his diagnosis, Mr. Kumara was taken back to the Kalutatra Remand Prison -where he was being held in custody due to fabricated charges of being in possession of a bomb- and kept alone, for fear of the tuberculosis spreading to other prisoners. According to what he told his wife, even his food is passed to him through an opening at the bottom of the door.
Mr. Kumara was arrested by the Wellipenna Police simply because he gave food to a person who allegedly committed some serious crimes on 3 February 2004. After his arrest, Mr. Kumara was subjected to extraordinary torture by Sub Inspector (S.I.) Silva, who brutally assaulted him and forced a tuberculosis patient to spit into Kumara’s mouth. It was alleged that S.I. Silva told Kumara that he too would die within two months of the same disease.
To see our previous appeals on this case, see: UA- 18-2004: Severely injured torture victim need urgent medical treatment and UP-21-2004: The torture victim acquires tuberculosis by the direct action of the police
Your solidarity and urgent intervention is required to demand the immediate release of Mr. Kumara from prison so that he can obtain medical assistance.
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Program
Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC)
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SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please send a letter to the National Police Commission of Sri Lanka to immediately address this issue.
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SAMPLE LETTER
Mr. Ranjith Abeysuriya PC
Chairman National Police Commission
69-1 Ward Place, Colombo 7
SRI LANKA
Fax: +94 11 2 669 128 / 691 926
Fax HOME: +94 11 2 674148
3 May 2004
Dear Mr. Abeysuriya
Re: Tuberculosis patient, Mr. K. P. Tissa Kumara, kept in solitary cell due to fabricated charges by police
I am utterly shocked at the information that torture victim Mr. K.P.Tissa Kumara, who has been diagnosed with tuberculosis due to the callous and disturbing act committed by Sub Inspector Silva, of the Wellipenna Police Station, is now being kept in a solitary cell at the Kalutatra Remand Prison. Mr. Kumara has been held in custody due to fabricated charges of being in possession of a bomb.
Mr. Kumara was arrested by the Wellipenna Police simply because he gave food to a person who allegedly committed some serious crimes on 3 February 2004. After his arrest, Kumara was subjected to extraordinary torture by Sub Inspector (S.I.) Silva, who brutally assaulted him and forced a tuberculosis patient to spit into Kumara's mouth. It was alleged that S.I. Silva told Kumara that he too would die within two months of the same disease.
On 30 April 2004, Kumara was diagnosed with tuberculosis at the Nagoda General Hospital, where he was taken due to a severe cough and blood in his saliva. Thereafter he was taken back to the Kalutatra remand prison and kept in a solitary cell, where even his food is passed to him from an opening below the door.
I urge you to instruct the police to drop the false charges against Kumara so that he may immediately obtain the necessary medical assistance. The Commission must further inquire into the despicable actions of the Wellipenna police and prosecute the perpetrators. Such incidents cannot be tolerated, and it is up to the National Police Commission to ensure that police officers respect the law they are meant to uphold.
Sincerely yours,
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Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Desk
Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC)
