Ruwan’s father and mother
Adhikari Arachchliage Ruwan Sampath Wickremasinghe was a 23 year old youth. He was a lance corporal 415649 of the 7th Gemunuhewa regiment. While he was in duty in the Welioya forward defense line on 28.06.2008 severely injured due to gunfire.
He was in hospital for 21 days. After that 10 to 7 days stayed at home on sick leave.
On 27.07.2008 one month after the gun shot injuries he was reported to duties at Weli Oya .O 28.08.2008 he came home on leave. He was due to report to the service on 28.9.2008 .He went to his regimental headquarters and asked a transfer because of his illness. But he didn’t get it. So he stayed home without reporting to duties.
On 25.10.2008 this young man was taken into custody both by the army and the police on charges of deserting. On 19.11.2008 he was imprisoned for three months. First he was transferred to Welikada prison then to Wariyapola prison. On 22.12.2008 again he was transferred to Kandy Teaching Hospital. Within thirty minutes he died.
Some prison officials and inmates said to his father that they cannot disclose what was happened to his son. “Wechcha dewal apita kiyanna beha”
His father said what was mentioned in the judicial medical officer’s report was not clear. He also said this death was suspicious. .His father Adhikari Arachchilage Wickramadasa mentioned according to his common sense the prison and the Gemunu Hewa Regiment where his son worked violated the fundamental rights of his son.
Mr.Wickremadasa further said his son was assaulted at the Wariyapola prison and he was kept there for three days without any treatment. Although his son received gun shot injuries he was not allowed to transfer from the battle front and indirectly forced him to desert the army. His son was taken into custody before a completion of one month time he didn’t report to the duties. His father has also mentioned that his son was imprisoned without given proper care to his illness. Mr. Wickremadasa described this as an inhuman and cruel treatment to his son.
Mr .Wickremadasa is a 49 year old father of two children. He is a farmer. He lives in 459/1 Kiribamunegama, Polpithigama. Late Ruwan Sampath Wickremasinghe joined the army to support his family.
Janasansaday 038 2235191
08.01.2009
