Category: News

Bentara Police Accused of Assaulting Hotel Employee in False Arrest

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Beruwala – Hasitha Malinga, a 24-year-old hotel employee from Beruwala, was allegedly assaulted by Bentara Police officers after being falsely accused of theft. Malinga, who works at a hotel in Bentara, completed his shift and returned home in the early hours of August 9, 2024. Later that morning, around 9:00 AM, he received a call from his workplace, asking him to return. Upon his arrival, police officers were waiting for him and arrested him on allegations of misplacing a foreign guest’s wallet. During his detention, Malinga was reportedly subjected to…

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Supreme Court Rules Fundamental Rights of First Female Acting DIG Violated; Orders Reconsideration of Appointment

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A three-member bench of the Supreme Court ruled yesterday (10th) that the fundamental rights of Mrs. Bimshani Jasinghaarachchi, the Senior Superintendent of Police and the first female officer to serve as Acting Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the Community Police Unit in Sri Lanka, had been violated. As a result, the court directed the National Police Commission to reconsider her appointment as Acting DIG of the Community Police Unit, effective from October 5. Mrs. Jasinghaarachchi was appointed Acting DIG of the Community Police Unit on December 14, 2020. However, after…

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The Wattala police, who tortured a person in custody on a false charge, also ignored the court’s order to hospitalise him.

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On August 16th, 31-year-old Udesh Madhushanka, a resident of the Ja-Ela Tudella area, was falsely arrested by the Ja-Ela Police. The arrest was made in connection with an incident that occurred on August 14th, when Udesh was taken to a house that had allegedly been broken into by thieves, based on false information provided by an individual. He was later handed over to the Ja-Ela Police. When Udesh’s mother visited the Ja-Ela Police Station on August 19th, Udesh informed her that he had been tortured. He claimed that the police…

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IGP and Police Commission Found Guilty of Failing to Enforce Anti-Torture Directives

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To protect individuals in police custody from being subjected to torture, the court had previously issued several directives. However, these measures have not produced the intended results, as stated by Justice S. Thurai Raja, Chairman of the three-judge Supreme Court bench, on August 26. Justice Thurai Raja made this declaration during the consideration of a fundamental rights petition related to a case of severe torture. Despite the court’s various orders, warnings, and guidelines aimed at preventing such abuses during police arrests, incidents of torture continue unabated. The National Police Commission…

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Principal of Debokkawa Maha Vidyalaya Accused of Assaulting 7th Grade Student

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A serious allegation has emerged from the Hambantota district as the principal of Debokkawa Maha Vidyalaya faces accusations of assaulting a 7th-grade student. The complaint, lodged with local police and supported by the Hambantota Human Rights First Aid Center, claims that despite the student’s parents reporting the assault three months ago, no investigation has been initiated. The incident has raised concerns about the handling of such cases and the safety of students within the school. The Hambantota Human Rights First Aid Center has expressed its commitment to seeking justice for…

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A 16-year-old student was allegedly brutally attacked by police officers after being stopped for not wearing a helmet

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On August 7th , Tarut Dinal, a 16-year-old school student, was riding his father’s motorcycle after visiting a shop with his brother. Upon returning, Payagala traffic officers noticed that his brother was not wearing a helmet. The officers stopped the motorcycle and harshly reprimanded them, shouting “stop, stop.” Frightened, the student drove to a nearby house close to a temple. According to reports, the two police officers followed the student to the location, where they allegedly punched him in the ear and kicked him with a booted foot, causing him…

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Bus Conductor Assaulted by Tissa Police: A Case of Brutal Treatment

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On August 2, 2024, a bus conductor from the Kingsley Super Service, identified as Vitarana Hetty Arachchige Amisha Madhuranga, was publicly assaulted and later arrested by the Tissamaharama Police. The incident occurred after Madhuranga, 23, was suspected of deceiving a woman and withdrawing money from an ATM using her Visa card. The conductor, an unmarried resident of No. 16, Nugewala, Ambalantota Mamadala, was stopped while on duty in the Tissa-Matara bus route. According to witnesses, an ununiformed officer approached the back door of the bus and ordered Madhuranga to halt…

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Two constables in Pedurutudu have been suspended for the death of an arrested suspect

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In response to the death of a suspect in police custody in Pedurutuduwa, Jaffna, the Superintendent of Police of Kankasanthura has suspended the services of two constables effective from July 29 until the conclusion of the investigation. The deceased, a young man residing in Pedurutuduwa, was suspected to have been severely beaten following his arrest. He sustained serious injuries due to the alleged assaults and was admitted to Pedurutuduwa Hospital for treatment. The young man succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment. The post-mortem examination revealed severe damage to his…

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Supreme Court Halts Appointment of Inspector General of Police

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On July 24, 2024, the Supreme Court issued an order regarding the controversial appointment of the Inspector General of Police (IGP). The petitioners have presented a compelling prima facie case challenging the constitutionality of the appointment. As a result, the Court granted leave to proceed against the first respondent, the Honorable Attorney General, the Speaker, and Mr. Deshabandu Tennakoon. In a significant interim order, the Supreme Court restrained Mr. T. M. W. Deshabandu Tennakoon from functioning as the IGP until the case is concluded. Consequently, the President is now authorized…

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Retired OIC Attacked by Officers from Mahaba Police Station, Suffers Severe Eye Damage

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  A retired Officer in Charge (OIC), who previously served at the Mahabage Police Station, suffered severe eye damage after being attacked by a group of officers from the same station. He is currently receiving treatment at Ragama Hospital. The retired OIC, aged 46, shared his ordeal with the media. He explained that he had served in the police force for 24 years before retiring on March 1, 2023, due to personal reasons, despite having the option to continue his service for another 14 years. Since his retirement, he had…

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