SRI LANKA: Innocent man illegally arrested under fabricated charges

ASIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION - URGENT APPEALS PROGRAMME

Urgent Appeal Case: AHRC-UAC-150-2017
ISSUES: Administration of justice, Arbitrary arrest & detention, Impunity, Rule of law,

Dear Friends,

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information regarding Mr. Aandige Charuka Malinda Peiris, a resident of Kantale Police Division. Malinda was illegally arrested by Police Officers of the Kantale Police Division on 21 June 2017. He was not given any reason for his arrest. He was detained in a cell, accused of supporting the escape of his village friend from Police arrest. The victim does not know where his friend is. He reiterated the fact that he has not been involved in any illegal activity. The victim stated that the Police acted arbitrarily and illegally, violating the Law.

Case Narrative:

The Asian Human Rights Commission has received information about Mr. Aandige Charuka Malinda Peiris, of No: 166/2/A, Bhathiyagama, Kantale in the Trincomalee District. Malinda is a day laborer and is married.

At 7 p.m. of 21 June 2017, while at home, 8 uniformed Police Officers came to Malinda’s
home and asked him to come outside. When outside, Officers dragged him with hands cuffed, put him in a parked vehicle and brought him to the Kantale Police Station. Malinda questioned the Officers as to the reason for his arrest. He was accused of supporting another to escape arrest. This particular villager was his childhood friend. Malinda denied helping his friend to escape arrest and leave the village. Malinda vehemently denied the accusations and entreated the Officers to release him.

The next day, 22 June, Malinda was produced before the Kantale Magistrate and released on bail. 
Malinda states that he was illegally arrested and detained in a cell by the Kantale Police. They had violated his fundamental rights guaranteed him by the Constitution.

Suggested Action:

Please send letters to the Authorities listed below expressing your concern about this case. Request an immediate investigation into the allegations of illegal arrest by the Police. Prosecute those proved to be responsible under Criminal Law for misusing the powers of the State. The Officers involved must be subject to an internal investigation for breach of Police Departmental Orders. Please request the National Police Commission (NPC) and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to open a special investigation into the malpractices of Police Officers who abuse their powers.

To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER

SAMPLE LETTER

Dear _______

SRI LANKA: Innocent man illegally arrested under fabricated charges

Name of Victim: Mr. Aandige Charuka Malinda Peiris, of No: 166/2/A, Bhathiyagama, Kantale in                               the Trincomalee District

Alleged perpetrators: eight Police Officers attached to the Kantale Police Station

Date of incident: 21 June 2017

Place of incident: Kantale Police Division

According to information I have received Mr. Aandige Charuka Malinda Peiris, of No: 166/2/A, Bhathiyagama, Kantale in the Trincomalee District. Malinda is a day laborer and is married.

At 7 p.m. of 21 June 2017, while at home, 8 uniformed Police Officers came to Malinda’s
home and asked him to come outside. When outside, Officers dragged him with hands cuffed, put him in a parked vehicle and brought him to the Kantale Police Station. Malinda questioned the Officers as to the reason for his arrest. He was accused of supporting another to escape arrest. This particular villager was his childhood friend. Malinda denied helping his friend to escape arrest and leave the village. Malinda vehemently denied the accusations and entreated the Officers to release him.

The next day, 22 June, Malinda was produced before the Kantale Magistrate and released on bail. 
Malinda states that he was illegally arrested and detained in a cell by the Kantale Police. They had violated his fundamental rights guaranteed him by the Constitution.

I request the intervention of your good offices. Ensure that the Authorities listed below open an immediate investigation into the allegations of violations of the fundamental rights of the victim by officers of the Sri Lanka Police Department. The officers involved should be subject to internal investigations for breach of Police Departmental Orders.

Yours sincerely,

——————— 
PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:

1. Mr. Pujith Jayasundara 
Inspector General of Police 
New Secretariat 
Colombo 1 
SRI LANKA 
Fax: +94 11 2 440440 / 327877 
E-mail: igp@police.lk

2. Mr. Jayantha Jayasooriya PC 
Attorney General 
Attorney General’s Department 
Colombo 12 
SRI LANKA 
Fax: +94 11 2 436421 
E-mail: ag@attorneygeneral.gov.lk

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 
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 Program
Asian Human Rights Commission (ua@ahrc.asia)

Document Type : Urgent Appeal Case
Document ID : AHRC-UAC-150-2017
Countries : Sri Lanka,
Issues : Administration of justice, Arbitrary arrest & detention, Impunity, Rule of law,