Dear friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) writes to inform you of yet another case of police torture in Sri Lanka. On 20 December 2005, Amila Prasad was allegedly severely tortured by several policemen attached to the Thanamalvila Police after being arrested without any charges. He is presently being treated for his injuries in hospital.
After the incident, the policemen involved allegedly fabricated stories against the people who had gathered in front of the police station to protest Amilas arrest and torture.
This is yet one more of the most careless and senseless acts of torture perpetrated by policemen throughout the country. The AHRC has reported hundreds of cases of the random violence police officers often mete out on civilians. It has become part of the nature of policing in Sri Lanka for officers to behave like gang and assault people randomly.
The AHRC urges for your intervention to ensure that an immediate and independent inquiry into the incident is conducted. Appropriate charges must be filed against them and that they must be restricted from their duty once the investigation commences. The government must reimburse the victims medical expenses as stipulated in the Convention against Torture Act (CAT) No. 22 of 1994 of Sri Lanka.
Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission
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DETAILED INFORMATION:
Name of the victim: Amila Prasad
Date of incident: 20 December 2005
Alleged perpetrators: Some officers from the Thanamalvila Police Station (Moneragala)
Case details:
On 20 December 2005, Amila Prasad was alleged to have been arrested without any charges by policemen attached to the Thanamalvila Police Station. While in police custody, some police officers severely tortured him.
A large crowd gathered at the police station to demonstrate against the arrest and torture of this young man. According to the police, they had gone to settle a dispute between two parties and were assaulted by person present. However, they have not accused Amila of being that person. Furthermore, the people in the vicinity, who went to the police station to rescue Amila, stated that no such assault ever took place. It is reported that Amila had nothing to do with any incident but was randomly arrested by the police and brutally tortured. Meanwhile, a complaint has been made to the Officer-in-Charge of the police station and Amila is currently being treated at the hospital.
AHRCs observations:
The arbitrary arrest and systematic torture committed by the Sri Lanka police has been brought to the notice of the Sri Lankan government and various United Nations agencies by way of large reports of documented cases, books and many appeals. However, no change for the better can be seen. The National Police Commission (NPC), which was attempting to take measures against such behaviour no longer functions, as the tenure of the commissioners has expired and no new members can be appointed due to the equally non-functioning Constitutional Council, which has the duty to appoint new commissioners. The government encourages the lethargy that has set into the policing institution and thereby is responsible for this sort of behaviour which is taking place throughout the country.
SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please send letters to the addresses listed below and raise your concern regarding Amila Prasads case. An independent and immediate investigation must be conducted on this case.
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear _________,
Re: SRI LANKA: Illegal arrest and torture of a man by the Thanamalvila Police
Name of the victim: Amila Prasad
Date of incident: 20 December 2005
Alleged perpetrators: Some officers from the Thanamalvila Police Station (Moneragala)
I am writing to bring to your notice the case of Amila Prasad, who was severely tortured by several policemen attached to the Thanamalvila Police Station following his arrest on 20 December 2005. I have learned that Amila was arrested without charges and was severely tortured while in police custody. He suffered severe injuries and is presently in hospital.
I am aware that the policemen involved fabricated stories against the people who gathered in front of the police station to protest Amilas arrest and torture. The police have accused these people of assaulting them, which has been strongly denied by the people.
This is yet one more of the most careless and senseless acts of torture perpetrated by policemen throughout the country. The AHRC has reported hundreds of cases of the random violence police officers often mete out on civilians. It has become part of the nature of policing in Sri Lanka for officers to behave like gang and assault people randomly. Hundreds of cases have been reported of the random violence police officers often mete out on civilians. This behaviour has been brought to the notice of the Sri Lankan government and various United Nations agencies by way of large reports of documented cases, books and many appeals. However, no change for the better has been seen.
I am deeply concerned that the National Police Commission (NPC), which was attempting to take measures against such behaviour no longer functions, as the tenure of the commissioners has expired and no new members can be appointed due to the equally non-functioning Constitutional Council, which has the duty to appoint new commissioners. The government encourages the lethargy that has set into the policing institution and thereby is responsible for this sort of behaviour which is taking place throughout the country.
I urge you to ensure that an immediate and independent inquiry takes place into the incident, so that the perpetrators may be brought to justice. During the course of inquiry, the police officers should be suspended. If allegations are found to be true, charges must be filed against them. Additionally, the victim must be reimbursed for his medical expenses.
I trust that you will take action on this case.
Yours sincerely,
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PLEASE SEND LETTERS TO:
1. Mr. Chandra Fernando
Inspector General of Police (IGP)
New Secretariat
Colombo 1
SRI LANKA
Fax: +94 11 2 440440/327877
2. Mr. K. C. Kamalasabesan
Attorney General
Attorney General's Department
Colombo 12
SRI LANKA
Fax: +94 11 2 436 421
3. National Police Commission
3rd Floor, Rotunda Towers,
109 Galle Road
Colombo 03
SRI LANKA
Tel: +94 11 2 395310
Fax: +94 11 2 395867
Fax HOME: +94 11 2 674148
E-mail: polcom@sltnet.lk
4. Dr. Radhika Coomaraswamy
Chairperson Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka
No. 36, Kynsey Road
Colombo 8
SRI LANKA
Tel: +94 11 2 694925 / 673806
Fax: +94 11 2 694924 / 696470
E-mail: sechrc@sltnet.lk
5. Mr. J Thangawelu
DIG Legal
Police Headquarters
Colombo 1
SRI LANKA
Fax: 94 11 2381 394
Email: legaldiv@police.lk
6. Mr. Mahinda Rajapakse
President of Sri Lanka
Cambridge Place
Colombo 7
SRI LANKA
Fax: +94 11 2 682905 / 575454
E-mail: secpm@sltnet.lk or bradmanw@slt.lk
7. Prof. Manfred Nowak
Special Rapporteur on the Question of Torture
Attn: Mr. Safir Syed
C/o OHCHR-UNOG
1211 Geneva 10
SWITZERLAND
Tel: +41 22 917 9230
Fax: +41 22 917 9016 (general)
E-mail: ssyed@ohchr.org
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission
