Dear Friends,
Mr. S H Pushpakumara (32) of Uragasmanhandiya Police Division was a resident of Galle District. He went missing on 12 August 2017. He was a regular soldier attached to the Gajaba Regiment of the Sri Lanka Army. He visited his home on a one day pass. He had permission to visit his mother who returned from the Middle East. He left his home as scheduled at 12 midnight of 12 August 2017 and has been missing ever since. Relatives have searched everywhere, even the military authorities at the victim’s work place. When they failed to find him, the wife lodged a complaint with the Uragasmanhandiya Police Station. She thought the Officers accepted the complaint, but as yet they have not made an investigation into her missing husband. The family demands a prompt, efficient, independent and full-scale investigation into their complaint, requesting the Authorities to take all possible measures to protect the life of Pushpakumara, a victim.
Case Narrative:
Mr. S H Pushpakumara (32) of Ambagaha Junction, Uragasmanhandiya was a resident of Galle District. He was married to Mrs. Kumuduni Chandrika and both lived in the house built by Pushpakumara. They have a 4 year old son.
Pushpakumara is a non-commissioned officer, a full Corporal, attached to the Gajaba Regiment of the Sri Lanka Army at the Base Camp at Kilinochchi . He had completed 10 years of successful service in the military being known for his clean record, uninterrupted and highly decorated service. Pushpakuara was one of the first of the most valiant soldiers. He was recognized and respected for rendering service to national security. He never had any disciplinary complaint made against him.
On 12 August 2017, Pushpakumara visited his house following the message from his wife, Chandrika that his mother, who was a migrant worker in the Middle East, was returning home. His parental home was situated next to his, in very close proximity. He visited both houses and had a joyful time with his mother, wife and child. It was late at 12 p.m. when he had to leave the house to report back to camp as he was on a one-day, urgent basis pass. He left the house very peacefully. Relatives observed he left the village in the long bus to Colombo.
After leaving on 12 August, his wife and mother did not get any message from Pushpakumara. Chandrika telephoned the Commanding Officer of the Base Camp in Kilinochchi where her husband worked and inquired about his whereabouts. The officer after inquiring about some details informed Chandrika that her husband had not reported to work. Chandrika and Pushpakumara’s mother contacted his work place on several occasions. However, they did not know what happened to him.
On 14 August 2017, Chandrika, the victim’s wife went to the Uragasmanhandiya Police Station and lodged a complaint with the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) . Chandrika visited the Police Station many times within the next 4 weeks. The Officers simply told her that they have informed Police Headquarters about the case and have sent messages to the surrounding Police Stations. They are awaiting their responses.
The relatives of the victim believe that this is a clear case of a missing person. They fear for Pushpakumara’s life. It stems from stories they see on national TV on disappearances, killings and destruction of body parts. Relatives state that due to the indolent and inefficient approach of the Uragasmanhandiya Police, Pushpakumara’s whereabouts remain unknown. Concerned parties urged the Police to initiate a prompt, efficient, full investigation into the case. All possible measures should be taken to protect the life and well-being of Pushpakumara, the victim.
Suggested Action:
Please send letters to the Authorities listed below expressing your concern about this case. Request an immediate Police investigation into allegations of not properly investigating this missing person’s case. Those proven to be responsible under the Law should be prosecuted. Please recommend the National Police Commission (NPC) and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) open a special investigation into the malpractice of Police Officers abusing power.
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear ________,
SRI LANKA: The disappearance of a 32-year-old man in Uragasmanhanditya
Name of Victim: Mr. S H Pushpakumara (32) of Ambagaha Junction, Uragasmanhandiya, a resident of Galle District.
Alleged perpetrators: 1) unknown individuals or party members
2) Officers attached to the Uragasmanhandiya Police Station.
Date of incident: 12 August 2017
Place of incident: Uragasmanhandiya Police Division
According to the information I have received Mr. S H Pushpakumara (32) of Ambagaha Junction, Uragasmanhandiya was a resident of Galle District. He was married to Mrs. Kumuduni Chandrika and both lived in the house built by Pushpakumara. They have a 4 year old son.
Pushpakumara is a non-commissioned officer, a full Corporal, attached to the Gajaba Regiment of the Sri Lanka Army at the Base Camp at Kilinochchi . He had completed 10 years of successful service in the military being known for his clean record, uninterrupted and highly decorated service. Pushpakuara was one of the first of the most valiant soldiers. He was recognized and respected for rendering service to national security. He never had any disciplinary complaint made against him.
On 12 August 2017, Pushpakumara visited his house following the message from his wife, Chandrika that his mother, who was a migrant worker in the Middle East, was returning home. His parental home was situated next to his, in very close proximity. He visited both houses and had a joyful time with his mother, wife and child. It was late at 12 p.m. when he had to leave the house to report back to camp as he was on a one-day, urgent basis pass. He left the house very peacefully. Relatives observed he left the village in the long bus to Colombo.
After leaving on 12 August, his wife and mother did not get any message from Pushpakumara. Chandrika telephoned the Commanding Officer of the Base Camp in Kilinochchi where her husband worked and inquired about his whereabouts. The officer after inquiring about some details informed Chandrika that her husband had not reported to work. Chandrika and Pushpakumara’s mother contacted his work place on several occasions. However, they did not know what happened to him.
On 14 August 2017, Chandrika, the victim’s wife went to the Uragasmanhandiya Police Station and lodged a complaint with the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) . Chandrika visited the Police Station many times within the next 4 weeks. The Officers simply told her that they have informed Police Headquarters about the case and have sent messages to the surrounding Police Stations. They are awaiting their responses.
The relatives of the victim believe that this is a clear case of a missing person. They fear for Pushpakumara’s life. It stems from stories they see on national TV on disappearances, killings and destruction of body parts. Relatives state that due to the indolent and inefficient approach of the Uragasmanhandiya Police, Pushpakumara’s whereabouts remain unknown. Concerned parties urged the Police to initiate a prompt, efficient, full investigation into the case. All possible measures should be taken to protect the life and well-being of Pushpakumara, the victim.
I request the intervention of your good offices. Ensure that the Authorities listed below open an immediate investigation into alleged violations of fundamental rights of the victim by Officers of the Sri Lanka Police Department. The Officers involved should face an internal investigation for breach of Police Departmental orders.
Yours sincerely,
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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)
