School boy assaulted by Principal and haressed thereafter Ambalanthota Police and HRC allegedly acting in bias

Dear Friends,We have received information about an assault on a thirteen year old school boy Don Kasun Aravinda resident of Palugahagodalla, Ambalangoda by the Principal of his school Ambalanthota Maha Viduhala.

 

According to the information received on 13 February 2008 Kasun was hit on his head with a cane by the Principal. Kasun says he was wearing his shoes to go into class after the intermission when the principal came and hit him with a long cane on his head. 

 

As a result of this assault he complained of head ache, fainted and several lumps appeared on his head. He was warded and received treatment at the Ambalanthota General Hospital till the 16th.

 

When Kasun’s mother tried to speak to the Principal about the incident explaining that her son was a weak child by birth and was on medication the principle was rude and scolded her telling her that if the boy had a illness it should be written and hung round his neck. He further told her that he is not afraid of any person. And challenged her to go to the police and report the incident.

 

Thereafter Kasun’s mother lodged a complaint with the Ambalanthota Police.

 

On the 18^th Kasun went back to school. At the morning assembly the Principal had sarcastically related that he punished 4  students out of whom one student’s head had swollen. At this all the students had laughed putting Kasun into great discomfort.

 

The Police Inquiry was fixed for 01 March. The Principal did not come and mother and son were instead advised by the Ambalanthota police to forget the incident. When Kasun’s mother did not accept this. The inquiry was fixed for the 10^th. again the Principal did not come and the inquiry was re-fixed for the 11^th. on that day too the Principal did not come and the inquiry re-fixed for the 13^th .

 

On the 13^th Kasun  and his mother could not go to the police station since Kasun was sick, due to his class teacher putting pressure on him to conclude the matter.

 

Kasun’s mother says the Ambalanthota police had scolded her for being absent at the inquiry on the 13^th. They had told her that due to her absence the Principal had wasted his time at the police station. She was told to come with her son on the 15^th. 

 

On the 15^th the Principal was present at the inquiry. The Inquiring Officer was Jayawickrama. The Principal threatened that he will expel Kasun from the School. Officer jayawickrama warned the Principal not to threaten the boy. After the inquiry the Principal was seen with two other persons who threatened mother and son that they will chase them from the school.

 

Kasun had gone to school after that. The Principal had come to his class and stipulated that no one should talk with Kasun and that he should not talk with any other student. The Principal thus imposed Brahma punishment on 13 year old Kasun and threatened that those who did not follow this rule would be hit.

 

Kasun’s mother then went to the police station to complaint about this situation. The OIC had called officer Jayawickrama and got him to telephone the Principal. However the Principal was not at home. Officer Jayawickrama had then rebuked Kasun’s mother for complaining to other authorities. They were asked to come on the next day at 3.00 pm to the police station. The Principal did not come The OIC was not available and the acting officer to whom Kasun Aravinda’s mother told the story made light of the incident by stating that after all it is the Principal who hit him.

 

Accordingly Kasun’s mother had reported this incident from its very beginning on 21. February to the Chairman Human rights Commission, Officer-in-chare women and Children’s Bureau, Chairman Child Protection Bureau, and Attorney General. Subsequently she had kept the same authorities know of the developments with letters dated 12 March and 22 March.

 

As a result of her complaint to the HRC ( HRC/1258/08/I/167) an inquiry was commenced on 06 June 2008 in the Matara Branch of the HRC.

 

The Inquiry officer whose name was not available asked Kasun’s mother to relate the incident. The Inquiry officer blamed her for not complaining to the Zonal Education Director. He asked the 13 year old Kasun to relate what happened in front of his Principal. He asked him questions. Then he asked the Principal to relate what happened at which the Principal told that he had hit the boy on his hand and not on his head. Kasun’s mother denied this and the inquiring officer scolded her. The Inquiring officer then asked her who had advised her to take legal steps regarding the incident. When Kasun s mother told that she received advice from Janasansadaya Panadura the Inquiring Officer shouted at her asking her why she went to Janasansadaya without coming to the HRC. Further he blamed her saying that she had not gone to the places where she should have gone but gone to other places.

 

Further he warned her not to take Human rights into the school wherein it will be difficult to rectify errant students. He advised her not to take these matters far, and attempted to frighten her by saying that ultimately she will have to pay damages to the Principal. Thus putting her into great discomfiture in front of the Principal.

 

When Kasun’s mother complained that the Pricnipal was harassing her through 3 other persons, the inquiring Officer said that he is not responsible for such and to go and tell the police about it. The child does not have nay problem in school now so what more do you expect he asked.

  

 

Please contact the authorities listed below to consider this matter as urgent and take appropriate steps on it. The Principal must be stopped immediately from harassing the child by shaming him in school in front of his colleges and threatening to expel him from school and getting other parties to frighten mother and child into withdrawing the complaint against him.

 

If the Principal is found guilty of the allegations against him  due disciplinary and legal action should be taken against him.

 

The Ambalanthota Police should do their duty with regard to the complaint lodged without showing bias to the Principal. Both parties must be treated equally at the police inquiry. The Principal should be present at the police inquiry. We note that the Principal was absent at least 4 times on the dates fixed for inquiry while Kasun and mother was absent on 1 day due to ill health and had been rebuked severely for it.  

 

The HRC Matara Branch has shown blatant disregard for the principles they stand for. The way the inquiry has been conducted and the manner in which Kasun’s mother has been addressed, scolded, threatened and frightened even by saying that she may  have to pay damages to the Principal

 

The above account has been presented for your kind consideration according to the testimony of kasun’s mother W.G. Mangala Perera resident of Palagahagodalla Ambalanthota.

 

Janasansadaya

Peoples Forum

81/2, Arthur V. Dias Mawatha, Panadura

                                                            Tel 038 2235191

 

18.06.2008

You may contact –

1.Mr. Victor Perera, Inspector General of Police (IGP), New Secretariat, Colombo 1,
Fax: +94 11 2 440440/327877; E-mail: igp@police.lkInspector General of Police, Police Head Quarters, Colombo 1.

2. Secretary, Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, 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

3.  Chairperson, National Child Protection Authority, 330, Thalawathgoda Road
Madiwella , SRI LANKA , Tel: +94 11 2 778912/13/14, Fax: +94 11 2 778975, E-mail: ncpa@childprotection.gov.lk  

4. Officer-in-charge, Women and Children’s Bureau, 25, Yst Building, Srimath Baron Jayathilake Mawatha, Colombo 01

5. Director, Provincial Education, Department of Education Southern Province, Galle

6. Zonal Education Director, Zonal Education Office, Tissamaharamaya

 

 

Oh, God Four corrupt lawyers from Kandy !

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received a copy of a petition written by 92 lawyers practicing in Kandy complaining of a serious obstacle to their practice. Furthermore, the right of litigants to select the lawyers of their choice has been interfered with due to a small group of lawyers who engage in touting their services in front of the main gate of the Kandy Court Complex. The Petitioners state that they have brought this matter to the notice of the High Court Judge of Kandy in the past and that the lawyers that act in this manner have been warned. However, the 92 lawyers who have signed this petition express their concern about the lack of action on the part of the Kandy High Court to clear the main gate area and prevent the obstruction created to the litigants and the lawyers by this small group of persons who engage in conduct which they see as unprofessional and unethical.

The AHRC is concerned about this issue as there have been previous complaints of a similar nature received from other courts. There are even complaints that lawyers practicing in many of the magistrate courts throughout the country have to pay 50% or more of their fees to police officers. If any lawyer refuses to make such payments the officers engaged in various types of activities and spread misinformation about them. There are many ways in which the police can do this. One method is to unreasonably refuse bail applications made on behalf of clients by lawyers who refuse to comply with the demands of the police officers.

There is a need to look into the various obstacles which prevent lawyers from practicing their profession with dignity and with professional ethics. Ignoring this situation creates obstacles for the lawyers. It also creates problems that affect the very quality of justice itself. When a court is turned into a market place by such practices, the very possibility of taking proper instructions from clients and the pursuit of cases on the basis of merit, become impossible. That in turn creates adverse impressions of the court system and the judiciary on the part of litigants and the public.

The protection of the legal profession is one of the preconditions for the protection of an independent system of the administration of justice. It is also a precondition for the defense of the human rights of all the persons involved, whether they are defendants or complainants. Furthermore, if the police can achieve their aims in court through a system of collaboration with some lawyers it will encourage their feeling of impunity and lead to blatant disregard for human rights by the police.

This matter needs to be thoroughly investigated and appropriate corrective measures need to be taken in order to protect the professional rights and dignity of lawyers, as well as to ensure public confidence in the administration of justice.

We reproduce below a translation of the letter signed by the 92 lawyers from Kandy .

5/5/2008

Honorable D.S.C.Lakamvasam
TheProvincial High Court Judge,
Court Complex
Kandy

Through the Hon. Samudra Premachandra, Magistrate of Kandy

Hon. Judge of the Provincial High Court,

Re: Lawyers who stay at the main gate of the Kandy Court Complex and behave in a manner that violates professional ethics

Due to a few lawyers (male and female) who stay in front of the main gate of the Kandy Court Complex and engage in their activities many lawyers have been brought into inconvenience and are faced with an unpleasant situation. Due to these few lawyers who use the main gate of the Court Complex and the surrounding area as their office and engage in touting their services to the public who are coming to the court relating to their law suits are facing seriously inconvenience. Earlier also a few such persons who behaved in this manner, bring disrepute to the court were brought to the notice of the court through the lawyer’s association and these lawyers were given warnings.

However, there is widespread frustration and unhappiness as to why these persons are allowed to continue in this manner before the main gate of the Kandy Court Complex and no effective action is taken, even after such previous warnings were issued. The public is also disheartened by such inaction. We, the signatories to this petition, request you to take suitable action against these lawyers who are violating professional ethics and to have them removed from the main gate of the Court Complex and thereby create a peaceful atmosphere in which the lawyers can practice their profession in a manner appropriate to their professional dignity.

Signed by

Ninety two lawyers practicing in Kandy
In this petition the names of four lawyers who are allegedly behaving in this manner have been named.

A Statement by the Asian Human Rights Commission

 

 

 

 

Is NPA, a way of cheating International Community?

Rajapakse government had given the assurance to address human rights concerns through a National Plan of Action on the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights during the Universal Periodic Review of Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council on Thursday.

J. S. Tissainayagam a senior journalist and Sunday Times columnist was produced in Colombo Magistrate’s court yesterday by the TID. He was further remanded.

For the last two years 9 journalists were killed. This tragedy is showed the unwillingness of Rajapakse regime to protect and promote the right to freedom of expression.

Today the law of jungle remains in the country. Two prisoners were shot dead by unidentified armed men at Chunnakam in Jaffna while they were being taken to the Point Pedro Courts from the Jaffna prison.

According to the media the government has reportedly rejected a request made by a delegation from the European Union three member states to travel to the Eastern Province as the delegation had refused to meet the newly appointed Eastern Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan.

So, NPA is only for cheating the international community. It won’t do anything for the marginalised.

Tissainayagam and media suppression.

Senior journalist and Sunday Times columnist J.S. Tissainayagam was produced in Colombo Magistrate’s Court yesterday. He was further remanded.

He was taken into custody by the TID alleging that he had aided and abetted the LTTE and kept in detention at the TID without any charges for more than three months.

Counsel for journalist complained to the Colombo Magistrate that under Emergency Regulations it was illegal to detain a suspect at the Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) after 90 days.

Few weeks ago Paranirupasingam Devakumar, who worked for a national television network in Jaffna was killed in a brutal way.

This killing comes soon after the abduction and the brutal assault and torture of senior journalist and The Nation newspapers associate editor Keith Noyahr in Colombo.

These incidents are the direct evidence for media suppression by the Mahinda Rajapakse government. This is also the worst administration for the journalists in the country’s political history.

Oh, Mahinda’s myth on Petrol !

Dear Friends !!!

Petrol in Pakistan Rs. 17 per litre
Malaysia Rs. 18 per  litre
In India it’s Rs.  48 per litre
In Sri Lanka it is Rs. 157 per litre

Why this difference in Asia itself?
World Market CRUDE Oil is not  
the reason for this.
It’s all Gain for private owners?
As we are the general public, or
Common Man as R.K.Laxman would
have said, we have  to raise our voice,
let’s raise thru Emails.

Forward this to all
Indians and Sri Lankans who cares.

IT HAS BEEN CALCULATED THAT IF
EVERYONE DID NOT PURCHASE A
DROP OF PETROL FOR ONE DAY
AND ALL AT THE SAME TIME,
THE OIL COMPANIES WOULD
CHOKE ON THEIR STOCKPILES.

AT THE SAME TIME IT WOULD HIT
THE ENTIRE INDUSTRY WITH A
NET LOSS OVER 4.6 BILLION DOLLARS
WHICH AFFECTS THE BOTTOM LINES
OF THE OIL COMPANIES.

THEREFORE ‘Friday 13^th  June’

HAS BEEN DECLARED
‘STICK IT UP THEIR BEHIND’ DAY
AND THE PEOPLE OF THIS NATION
SHOULD NOT BUY A SINGLE DROP
OF PETROL THAT DAY.

THE ONLY WAY THIS CAN BE DONE IS
IF YOU FORWARD THIS E-MAIL TO AS
MANY PEOPLE AS YOU CAN AND AS
QUICKLY AS YOU CAN TO GET THE
WORD OUT. WAITING ON THE
GOVERNMENT TO STEP IN AND
CONTROL THE PRICES IS NOT GOING
TO HAPPEN.
 
REMEMBER ONE THING, NOT ONLY
IS THE PRICE OF PETROL GOING UP
BUT  AT THE SAME TIME, AIRLINES ARE FORCED TO RAISE THEIR PRICES,
TRUCKING  COMPANIES ARE FORCED
TO RAISE THEIR PRICES WHICH AFFECTS
PRICES ON EVERYTHING THAT IS
SHIPPED. THINGS LIKE FOOD, CLOTHING, BUILDING SUPPLIES MEDICAL  SUPPLIES
ETC.
 
WHO PAYS IN THE END?
 
WE DO!

WE CAN MAKE A  DIFFERENCE.
IF THEY DON’T GET THE MESSAGE
AFTER ONE DAY, WE WILL DO IT
AGAIN  AND AGAIN. SO DO YOUR
PART AND SPREAD THE WORD.
FORWARD THIS EMAIL TO 
EVERYONE YOU KNOW .
MARK YOUR CALENDARS AND MAKE
June 13^th A DAY THAT THE

CITIZENS SAY

‘ENOUGH IS ENOUGH’

We forward so many junk email to
many of our friends, now let us do it
for some useful cause to cut down the
price of the petrol .. ….

REMEMBER : 
June 13^th Friday 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

HRC makes recommendations after almost three years.

Dear Friends We have received information that the Human Rights Commission (HRC) has finally made recommendations on the case of police torture on H.M. Susantha Herath. 

The incident of torture took place in 04 July 2005. According to the information received  H.M. Susantha Herath was tortured by police attached to the Gokarella Police Station. Susantha Herath was told to supply the police personnel with ‘Arrack’. When he told them that he was not involved in such business, they proceeded to torture him. Subsequently he was illegally taken into custody and tortured by Sub-Inspector (SI) Ellepoloa, Sergeant (Sgt.) Perera and two others. Upon his release, Susantha Herath was hospitalized for five days for his injuries.

 The complaint made with regard to this incident to the HRC was recorded under C/3686/05. No inquiry regarding this complaint was made up till February 2006. On looked into the reason for delay it was found that the documents regarding this case were missing. It was only on a request made by Janasansadaya to commence the inquiry and providing the documents once again, that the inquiry was subsequently commenced.

 At the conclusion of the inquiry it was found that the police officers had violated the human rights of H.M. Susantha Herath. Accordingly it was recommended that Sub Inspector Ellapola  (presently attached to the Trincomalee Old Police Station) pay  Susantha Herath  damages in the sum of  Rs. 7,500/=  and Police Sergeant 5587 Perera ( presently attached to Pollonnaruwas Police Unit)  pay a sum of Rs. 5,000/=.  

 At this juncture we bring to your attention that the HRC requests of the IGP and the NPC to put on record the action they took with regard to an earlier case where SI Ellapola had been found guilty by the HRC. (HRC/1828/00)

 Please join us to stand for justice. You can help by writing to the authorities listed below. In an increasing trend when the recommendations made by the HRC are ignored or not being carried out, ask them to see that the recommendations made in this case of Susantha Hearth who waited for almost three years to get justice from the HRC, are fulfilled.

 

 

12.06.2008

You may contact –

1.Mr. Victor Perera, Inspector General of Police (IGP), New Secretariat, Colombo 1,
Fax: +94 11 2 440440/327877; E-mail: igp@police.lkInspector General of Police, Police Head Quarters, Colombo 1.

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 or polcom@sltnet.lk

3. Secretary, Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, 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

 

School boy attacked and frightened with death threats by his Principal

 Dear Friends, We have received information about an assault on a nineteen year old Grade 13 school boy Herath Mudalige Janith Thilanka resident of Thalawa goda, Thalgampala, Galle,  by the Principal of his school Sri Dharmalankara Maha Vidyalaya, Galle

 

According to the information received on 23.April 2008 Janith left for school on his bicycle at about 7.15. am. On the way the chain of the bicycle broke and he went to get it repaired. Janith thereafter proceeded to school. On the way he met two of his class mates outside the school in a shop. They were Thusith and Samanatha  who had come to purchase some paracetamol for Thusitha’s head ache. They told Janith that school had started. The three boys hurried back to school  bit by the time they reached they found that the morning assembly had concluded.

 

According to the information received the Principal who had noticed the late arrival of the boys called them to him. He questioned them liberally using bad language on them. In particular he questioned Thusith who told him that he had gone to the shop before school started. He did not ask anything from Janith. However it was Janith who was suddenly assaulted on his ears.

 

According to Janith the blow on his ear had caused him concussion. He did not hear what was said or know what was happening around him for some time. The Principal had then grabbed a wooden pole from the fence to hit the boys. At that time another teacher Priyankara Sir, had come to the rescue. The Principal then had threatened them that he shall not teach them any more and that he can even get them killed. He had then chased the boys home. The frightened teachers then had decided that the boys should go home.

 

Janith says at that point his face had begun to swell and his eyes had become red and he had a severe head ache. Janith and Thusitha then went to the Karapitiya Hospital for medical treatment. Janith was advised to get warded and he received treatment till  25 April.

 

On 28 April both Janith and Thusitha went back to school. On the same day there was a parents teachers meeting. At the meeting Janiths father related how the Principal had  assaulted Janith. In return Janith’s father was scolded by the Principal who tried to assault him and then chased him from the meeting.

 

On 29 Janith his parents and Thusith went to the Akmeemana Policie station for an inquiry. The Principal too was there. The Principal lied that Janith had tried to assault him and his hand had accidentally struck Janith. The Akmeemana OIC who conducted the inquiry then referred the matter to the Conciliation Board.

 

Please contact the authorities listed bellow to make inquiries into this incident. If the Principal is found guilty of the allegations against him  due disciplinary and legal action should be taken against him. A Principal who assaults and frightens students with death threats and later lies to cover up his follies is hardly the caliber of man that should be kept in such a post. According to the testimony of Janith there should be enough witnesses to the incident. It is also questionable why this matter has been referred to the Conciliation Board.   

 

 

Janasansadaya

Peoples Forum

81/2, Arthur V. Dias Mawatha, Panadura

                                                            Tel 038 2235191

 

 

12.06.2008

You may contact –

1.Mr. Victor Perera, Inspector General of Police (IGP), New Secretariat, Colombo 1,
Fax: +94 11 2 440440/327877; E-mail: igp@police.lkInspector General of Police, Police Head Quarters, Colombo 1.

2. Secretary, Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, 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

3.  Chairperson, National Child Protection Authority, 330, Thalawathgoda Road
Madiwella , SRI LANKA , Tel: +94 11 2 778912/13/14, Fax: +94 11 2 778975, E-mail: ncpa@childprotection.gov.lk  

4. Officer-in-charge, Women and Children’s Bureau, 25, Yst Building, Srimath Baron Jayathilake Mawatha, Colombo 01

5. Director, Provincial Education, Education department, Galle .

Ratnapura,

6. Director, Zonal Education, Department of Zonal Education, Udugama.

 

 

Torture of journalist at the Kalpitiya police station.

Dear Friends, On 24 March 2007 the editor of the Satana News Paper  Senaka Ekanayake was illegally arrested by the Kalpitiya police and tortured. Senaka Ekanayake was in Kalpitiya on a fact finding mission for his paper. He was arrested by OIC of the Kalpitiya Police Station Rangwala-arachchi and other officers whowereallegedly under the influence of liquor.

 

We are informed that Senaka Ekanayaka was taken to the Kalpitiya Police Station  where all his valuables including his national identity card, media pass, passport, Fuji camera, Panasonic digital camera, Sony cassette recorder, 2 CDs,  his books,. wristwatch,  a gemstone worth  Rs sixteen thousand, and money to the value of Rs. six thousand two hundred and eighty was confiscated.

 

He was then handcuffed to a cell-bar and assaulted mercilessly with a z-lon  pipe all over his body. Senaka Ekanayaka names those responsible for this torture as OIC Lakshman Rangwana-arachchi, Sub Inspector Arawin, P.C. Sunil (No. 12601),), P.C. Dhammika (33446), Sergeant Indunil  (24011) those amongst others whose names he does not know.

While torturing he was scolded in foul language and told that with their pens they can make him a criminal within minutes. They also boasted that they can even shoot him and get away with it. This torture he says lasted for about one hour. After that the handcuffs were removed and  he was put into the police cell after being kicked several times, severely wounding his right leg. 

 

We are informed that on the same night at about 10.00 p.m. he was again tortured. Some  police officers poured Kasippu – illicit brew on his head and OIC Rangwana-arachchi forcibly made him swallow 8-9 mouthfuls of the liquid. Then he was stripped and  photographed in the nude, while OIC Rangwana- arachchi  made  fun of  him saying that tomorrows news paper will carry the headline that a senior media person drunken and naked dances at the Kalpitiya police station. He was again assaulted with the z-lon pipe by about 6 officers inside the cell. After this the officers left one of them throwing his underclothes into the cell, which he put on with the greatest difficulty.

 

Senaka Ekanayake says that his whole body was hurting, he was bleeding from his cheeks and nose and three of his teeth on the upper gum were broken.

 

We are informed that at about 12.00 midnight when he was lying  on the cement bench in the cell, again the police officers came and squirted cold water on him from a horse. This he says lasted for about ½ a hour and all the while he was scolded in filthy language.

 

We are informed that on the 25^th March at about 6.00 am, his trouser were given back to him and S.I. Arawin  and P.C. Indunil  told  that he would be given police bail  if  he signed some documents.  When Senaka Ekanayake refused SI Arawin took a pistol and kept on his head threatening to kill him if he did not comply. He then requested to read the statement. This was also denied and he was given no option but to sign the unread statement after which he was again put in the police cell. Later he was given some bread for breakfast but he was not in a position to eat it and for that too he was scolded. Senaka Ekanayake says his whole body was aching and he felt lifeless. At about 3.00 p.m. he was given his shirt and told to wear his shoes and his bag was returned to him with only his books. All other documents and valuable items indicated above were missing including his national identity card. When he had queried regarding this, he was told that those items would be confiscated by the State. He had only a balance of  Rs 702. 

 

We are informed that after that he was taken to a medical doctor who refused to examine him. Then he was produced before the acting magistrate Puttlam – Iqbal Attorney-at-law and obtained a detention order under the Emergency Regulations. Senaka Ekanayake says that all  attempts  to talk to the acting magistrate were foiled by a police officer who held him tightly.

 

On 25^th  March at about 8.00 p.m. he was taken to the detention centre in Puttalam. On the 26^th he was transferred to a prison in Negombo where he was warded in the prison hospital for treatment of the injuries sustained in the torture. On the 3^rd of April he was taken to Puttalam and produced before the acting magistrate Ms. Anusha Fernando. (BR 37/07/K). The police objected to bail and he was re-remanded and the case fixed  for 23^rd April. The case was called many times thereafter and refixed. It was only on 4^th  Jan 2008 a Provincial Council member from Kalpitiya signed for his bail and he was released.

 

Senaka Ekanayake says that while he was in prison, the police had gone to his hostel and searched his room and gone through his diary from which they had found a telephone number of a Tamil friend living in Jaffna and have made inquiries about this friend trying to make out that he was connected with terrorists activities. 

 

Senaka Ekanayake says that complaints to the Human Rights Commission made on  21.11.2007 and 07.01.2008 and has been recorded as HRC/34/08. However no inquiry regarding this incident has commenced top date.

 

Please join us to stand by the rights of Senaka Ekanayake whose fundamental rights have been grossly abused. You could help by writing to the authorities mentioned below asking them:

 

1.         To make inquiries into the incident and take due legal and disciplinary action against OIC Kalpitiya police station Rangwana-arachchi and other officers of the Kalpitiya police who arrested him tortured him at the Kalpitiya police station.

2.         To provide Senaka Ekanayake with security against the threats of OIC Rangwana-arachchi who is saying that he will fabricate charges and send him to remand.

3.         To provide Senaka Ekanayake with security in the light of the death threats received from OIC Rangwana-arachchi and others and his fear that he will be abducted.

 

Janasansadaya

Peoples Forum

81/2, Arthur V. Dias Mawatha, Panadura

                                                            Tel 038 2235191

 

05.06.2008

You may contact -

1.Mr. Victor Perera, Inspector General of Police (IGP) ,New Secretariat, Colombo 1,
Fax: +94 11 2 440440/327877; E-mail: igp@police.lkInspector General of Police, Police Head Quarters, Colombo 1.

2. Mr. C.R. De Silva, Attorney General, Attorney General’s Department, Colombo 12, Sri Lanka . Fax: +94 11 2 436421

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 of Sri Lanka, 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

 

 

 

 

 

On Monday June 9, 2008 at Mihinlanthaya by Mahinda.

1.The JVP yesterday charged a UPFA Pradeshiya Sabha chairman of attacking protesters in Chilaw. 2. A man was shot dead in Irrettaikulam in Murukkan police area by unidentified gunmen on Saturday morning. The victim Kandasamy Nadarajah (42) was a businessman in the area. 3.A man in Vavuniya was abducted by an unidentified gang on Saturday morning. The victim Kandiah Nandarasa was a trader in the area.

Hon. Mr.Mahinda Rajapakse- Thank you sir. Hon. Deputy Chairman of committees ,I think you witnessed today, here in this house ,the extent democracy has been eroded in this country. It was proved. Freedom of speech is a democratic right in a democratic society. The right to express that you have is there for the opposition too.

Hon. Mr.Mahinda Rajapakse- That day we were accused that we are going to stop aid to this country. We were accused that we are helping the Tigers. (disturbances) I am telling you, today when this report is read you have nothing to say. You have to sit like a cat that spoiled on a hard rock. (disturbances) It is now proved that we did not go in front of the Human Rights Committee to stop aid to this country. (disturbances) We asked that Human Rights be safe guarded in this country. (disturbances)

Above extracts taken from parliament’s Hansard to be precise, beginning from column 361 from the Hansard of October 25, 1990. ( The Sunday Leader, June 8, 2008)

 

Mahinda attacked JVP.

At least six JVP supporters were injured when goons backed by a local government member of the ruling UPFA, allegedly attacked a demonstration organized by the party against the soaring cost of living in Arachchikattuwa, Puttalam today.

First Mr.Mihin attacked journalists now the members of the opposition parties. His war against terror is failed. He wants to militarise the entire life of the country. The leader of the Jvp has made a very good comment recently. He said there will be a Marcose in Asia very soon.

 Mr.Mihin said to the LTTE to kill him without killing innocent civilians. The people of this country has asked him why doesn’t he travel on public transport?

Our state is failing no doubt about that. The solution lies on the shoulders of general people. Majority are still silent. JVP’s rise is very good move. So we should condem the attack by UPFA agaist JVP’s peaceful protest.