Category: News

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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Principal Assaults 12-Year-Old Student, Resulting in Severe Spinal Injury

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In a disturbing incident at Hambantota Debokkawa Maha Vidyalaya, Principal Malaka Weeravarnakula violently attacked a 12-year-old student, causing a severe spinal cord injury. The altercation began when the student, who served as the class monitor, did not clean the classroom trash. Witnesses reported that Principal Weeravarnakula grabbed the student by the ear, dragged him out of the classroom, and struck his neck twice, leading to significant damage to the student’s neck bones. The student was rushed to Embilipitiya General Hospital, where staff allegedly pressured him and his guardians, accusing them…

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Nurse Wins Fundamental Rights Case Against Surgeon for Assault

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  In a landmark judgment delivered today, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Madhavi Buddhika Rajaguru, a nurse who filed a case against Ashoka Wijemanne, a consultant surgeon, for assaulting her with a bone cutter at Kurunegala General Hospital. The court held that Wijemanne had violated Rajaguru’s fundamental right to be free from cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment. As a result, Wijemanne has been ordered to pay Rs. 50,000 in compensation to Rajaguru. Additionally, the State has been directed to pay her Rs. 10,000 within the next three months.…

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Panadura High Court Hears 12-Year-Old Custodial Death Case

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A case filed under the Convention Against Torture And Other Cruel, Inhuman Or Degrading Treatment Or Punishment Act, concerning the death of Dasanayake Nimal Chandrasiri Appuhami in police custody, is currently being heard at the Panadura High Court. The incident dates back to 2012 when Nimal Chandrasiri was allegedly beaten while in custody at the Wadduwa Police Station. Nimal Chandrasiri, a 43-year-old fisherman and father of three, was arrested on April 15, 2012, at his residence on 25 Fisherman’s House, Ratnayake Mawatha, South Talpitiya, Wadduwa. In 2017, his death while…

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