Dear friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) would like to report that a police inspector being tried for the assassination of Gerald Perera is still working for the state as an officer. The victim was a complainant in a torture trial against police officers when he was shot dead. With one of the accused in such a position of power, others involved in the case are concerned for their lives. The situation shows a clear lack of political will in Sri Lanka to adequately protect witnesses in cases against figures of authority.
UPDATED INFORMATION:
Gerald Perera was assassinated in November 2004. As a torture victim he had stood in a landmark case and won a record level of compensation, but was shot before the criminal case against six police officers had concluded (see UA-157-2004, UP-76-2004, and UAU-019-2008). Despite being accused of torture and of involvement in Perera’s assassination, and despite being interdicted as a result, Sub Inspector Makavitage Suresh Gunasena now works as a police officer attached to the Gampaha Police Station.
The employment of any civil servant who is involved in a criminal case is against the law in Sri Lanka. But to keep an officer armed and in service, despite his being charged with the murder of a complainant who was testifying against him, makes the AHRC strongly question the professionalism and the conduct of the Inspector General of Police, the Attorney General and their departments. The commission remains extremely concerned for the safety of Perera’s family members who are witnesses in the case.
SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please write to the relevant authorities listed below urging the immediate discharge of Sub Inspector Makavitage Suresh Gunasena and the arrangement of effective protection for witnesses in the case.
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear ___________,
SRI LANKA: A police officer on trial for the murder of Gerald Perera remains in service at Gampaha Police Station
I am extremely concerned to hear that a police inspector being tried for the assassination of Gerald Perera is still working for the state as an officer.
Gerald Perera was assassinated in November 2004, a few days before he was due to give evidence before Negombo High Court. As a torture victim he had taken a landmark case and won a record level of compensation, but was shot before the criminal case against six police officers had concluded. Despite having being accused of torture and of involvement in Perera’s assassination, and despite being interdicted as a result, Sub Inspector Makavitage Suresh Gunasena now works as a police officer attached to the Gampaha Police Station.
The employment of any civil servant who is involved in a criminal case is against the law in Sri Lanka. But to keep an officer in service, despite his being charged with the murder of a complainant who was testifying against him, makes me strongly question the professionalism and the conduct of the Inspector General of Police, the Attorney General and their departments. I am extremely concerned for the safety of Perera’s family members who are witnesses in the case.
I am writing to demand the immediate discharge of Sub Inspector Makavitage Suresh Gunasena from his post until the trial has concluded, and to request the arrangement of effective protection for witnesses in the case.
I look forward to your action in this matter.
Yours sincerely,
[fullname]
[country]
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PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTER TO:
1. Mr. Mahinda Rajapakse
President
Socialist Democratic Republic of Sri Lanka
C/- Office of the President
Temple Trees
150, Galle Road
Colombo 3
SRI LANKA
Fax: +94 11 2472100 / +94 11 2446657
Email: secretary@presidentsoffice.lk
2. Mr. Jayantha Wickramaratne,
Inspector General of Police (IGP),
New Secretariat
Colombo 1
SRI LANKA
Fax: +94 11 2 440440/327877
igp@police.lk
3. Mr. Mohan Peiris
Attorney General
Attorney General’s Department
Colombo 12
SRI LANKA
Fax: +94 11 2 436421
4. 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
5.Secretary
Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka
No 108 Barnes Place
Colombo 07
SRI LANKA
Tel: +94 11 2 694 925 / 673 806
Fax: +94 11 2 694 924 / 696 470
E-mail: sechrc@sltnet.lk
6. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP)
Office of the Senior Superintendant of Police
Gampaha Division
Gampaha
SRI LANKA
Fax: +94 33 2222214
Tel: +94 33 2222228
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission (ahrchk@ahrchk.org)
