SRI LANKA: Immediate treatment and medicines required for a torture victim presently detained at the Kalutara remand prison 

Dear friends,

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) writes to inform you of yet another case of brutal torture of a man, D.A. Gayan Rasika (24), by the Welipenna police following his arrest on 7 January 2006.  While in police custody, his relatives reported to the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRC) “torture hotline” seeking their intervention. However, the person whom the family talked to told them to let their lawyer inform the Court of the torture incident once he is produced before the Magistrate.

It is reported that the victim is suffering from medical ailments and is being denied medical treatment and medicines by prison authorities at the Kalutara where he is presently detained. He has been taking regular medication for this prior to his being sent to prison.

The AHRC is deeply concerned by the prison authorities’ inadequate action to have the victim adequately treated and provided with sufficient medicines. The authority’s failure to ensure the victim’s physical recovery and regular health care is totally unacceptable. Additionally, the HRC’s inadequate response to this case is appalling.

Your immediate intervention is required to request the police and prison authorities to have the victim treated and provided with sufficient medicines. The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) must initiate an inquiry and place the policemen involved at the Welipenna police under investigation. Once the investigation commences, the policemen must be suspended from their duty to prevent them from influencing the inquiry.

Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission
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DETAILED INFORMATION:

Name of the victim: D.A. Gayan Rasika (24), married, a resident of Kalavila, Beruwela. He is presently detained at the Kalutara remand prison.
Alleged perpetrators: Two policemen attached to the Welipenna police station and personnel at the Kalutara prison
Date of the incident: 7 January 2006

Case details:

On 7 January 2006, at about 3:15am two policemen attached to the Welipenna police station arrested D.A. Gayan Rasika at his house and took him to the police station where he was allegedly brutally tortured. When he was visited by his mother that evening, the victim was bleeding from his nose and mouth. He had severe injuries all over his body and could not even stand on his feet. The victim informed his mother about the torture committed against him despite having great difficulty in speaking.

Fearing for Gayan Rasika’s safety, his parents informed the Human Rights Commission’s ‘Torture Hotline’ about the arrest, illegal detention and torture of their son. Instead of being reassured that their son’s case would be investigated into, the parents were told to wait until their son was produced before the Magistrate and have his lawyer inform the Court regarding the complaint of torture. It was later learned that the victim was produced before the Matugama Magistrate that same day and was remanded to the Kalutara remand prison.

On January 8, the victim’s parents and his wife visited the victim where he was remanded. They were horrified to see the severe injuries all over the victim’s body. He could not walk and had to be assisted by prison officers. The prison officers told the victim’s relatives of the police brutality and torture. It is reported that the victim was suspended from the ceiling and assaulted all over his body. As a result, he was in immense pain.

Although the prison authorities are providing the victim with some medicine, he has not been taken to the prison hospital for adequate medical treatment. The victim a has history of suffering from severe headaches and epilepsy fits. He has been taking regular medication for this prior to his being sent to prison. His family is deeply concerned that in the absence of medicines, the victim might suffer a relapse of his ailments. The family said the prison authorities must immediately treat Gayan Rasika for his injuries and provide him sufficient medicines for his regular health issues.

SUGGESTED ACTION:

Please send letters to the relevant authorities listed below requesting them to take appropriate action regarding D.A. Gayan Rasika’s case. The prison authorities must ensure that Gayan Rasika is adequately treated for his injuries. They must also provide sufficient medicines for his health problems.

 

 

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