Several police officers from the Karandeniya police illegally arrested Chandila Padmakumara Gurusinghe of Kiripedda, Babuwo Kanda, Karandeniya in Galle District, apparently on the instigation of a cinnamon trader. He was arrested without being informed of the reason for his arrest and he learned it only after he was brought to the police station by listening to the conversation of the police officers who tortured him. He identified the officers who were responsible for his ordeal as Police Constable Silva (PC 53241), Sub Inspector (SI) Prasanna Mendis (who is Officer-in-Charge of the Crime Branch) and Inspector of Police (IP) Lal Chandrasiri, among others.
Chandila Padmakumara Gurusinghe
After taking him into police custody on7 May 2013 at 3 pm, he was handcuffed to a bed in a cell, before being taken out and slapped by SI Mendis twice at around 7:30 pm. SI Mendis asked him about a cinnamon trader. Later, he was put back in the cell until the next morning. On 8 May, the Office in Charge (OIC) of the Karandeniya Police Station, Inspector Chandrasiri, accused Chandila of committing robberies, stealing a gold chain and trading in illegal weapons. Chandila flatly denied all the accusations. Then the OIC played a recording, asking Chandila to listen, but the recording was not clear at all. The OIC then stated that he hated people from ‘Hakuru’ caste. (‘Mata Hakurangwa pennanna be.’) This was a derogatory reference to Wahumpura caste.
The SI Mendis threatened that he would file a fabricated charge for the illegal possession of a bomb against Chandila. He was repeatedly told to ‘tell the truth’. Chandila asserted his innocence.
While these things were happening, a cinnamon trader known to Chandila named Nihal Shantha was leisurely walking about the police station. Later, Chandila was brought to the kitchen of the police station and spoken to in obscene language by the police officers. Again they called him ‘Hakura’. He was ordered to remove his clothes.
The officers first bound Chandila’s hands behind his back. Then they threw another rope over a ceiling beam, which they attached to the rope binding Chandila’s hands. He was made to stand on a chair and the officers took up the slack on the rope. When they were ready, PC 53241 kicked the chair out from under Chandila, leaving him hanging by his wrists.
Chandila was in enormous pain and felt as if his shoulders and wrists were broken. Then SI Mendis asked him, “How are you feeling now, are you ready to tell the truth now?” With considerable courage, Chandila replied that he had nothing to say and reiterated that he had not committed any crime. SI Mendis then told other two officers that he had still had not sweated enough and to leave him in the same position for some more time.
After some time, Chandila does not know how long, he started sweating all over his body. However, when PC 53241 again asked him to tell the truth, Chandila told the PC that he had nothing to say.
Then Chandila felt that he was losing consciousness and his vision was fading.
The officers lowered him to the ground. Again, PC 53241 asked him if he was ready to reveal the truth. When Chandila again told him that he did not know anything and had not committed any crime the officers again hauled him up by the rope. Then PC 53241 started to beat Chandila’s feet with a broomstick and asked him if he was at least ready to tell a lie. PC 53241 also beat Chandila’s genitals, asking him if he was married or not.
PC 53241 then brought a plastic bag of chili powder and asked Chandila if he knew what he was going to do with it.
OIC Chandrasiri entered the kitchen and asked Chandila whether he knew a person called Susantha from Ambalangoda. When Chandila said that he did, the OIC ordered the other officers to release him. The officers did so and made him sit on the ground, propped up against the wall, as he could not support himself. He was told that fabricated charges would be laid against him.
At 5 pm on 8 May, the officers brought Chandila by jeep to the private dispensary of a doctor at Polwatte in Ambalangoda. The name of the doctor was Prasanna Wijesinghe. At the dispensary, SI Mendis and PC 53241 went inside. Chandila was left in the car with another officer.
Later, Chandila was brought inside. The doctor spoke to Chandila in his office.
The doctor asked Chandila if he was from Karandeniya, to which he replied that he was. Then the doctor told him that he was the one who rescued the chief of his people and said that, “Your people do not have any gratitude at all”. Chandila understood that for some unknown reason the doctor was angry and wanted to discriminate against the people coming from Karandeniya. Chandila further realised that the doctor and the police officers all had an appalling attitude towards the people of his caste, which is considered to be low down on the hierarchical caste order and who are the predominant majority in the Karandeniya area. Chandila felt that he was being treated in a humiliating manner.
Then the doctor simply filled in the form that was presented to him by the police officers. He did not question or examine Chandila for his medical condition despite the fact that he was in severe pain after being subjected to inhuman torture. Chandila felt that the doctor did not carry out his duty as a professional but instead connived with the police officers to deny him of his rights.
On 10 May he was taken to the Magistrate of Elpitiya in his private chambers (court was not in session). The Magistrate was told about Chandila’s torture but remanded him until 16 May.
In Remand Prison, Chandila was examined by a doctor, who recorded his injuries, and he was sent to Karapitiya Teaching Hospital, where a Judicial Medical Officer examined and photographed his injuries. Because of his condition, the doctor insisted that he needed to be hospitalized.
Chandila was later taken back to remand prison and released on bail on the 16th. He is due in court on the 23rd of June.
In this treatment of Chandila, there are the following violations of constitutional rights and also the commission of crimes under the CAT Act No. 22 of 1994:
- Suspending Chandila in the air by a rope tied around his wrists is a brutal form of torture and has resulted in serious injuries, and could have caused his death.
- Threatening to sodomize him and also to use chili powder, showing him the chili powder bag, also amounts to torture.
- Slapping him, beating him and threatening to file serious charges relating to possession of a bomb against him also amount to serious torture.
- Added to this, abusing a person by calling them a Hakura, thus referring in a derogatory manner to his caste, also amounts to cruel and inhuman treatment, and is clearly within the meaning of torture under the CAT Act No. 22 of 1994. In the United States, using the word ‘n*gger’ against an African American is considered a criminal offence and amounts to causing of mental pain, which amounts to cruel and inhuman treatment. Both the Office-in-Charge of the police station and Dr. Prasanna Wijesinghe engaged in this despicable degradation of a human being.
The Asian Human Rights Commission is of the view that the issue of discrimination on the basis of caste, which is by now recognized by the United Nations as a serious violation of human rights, needs to be seriously canvassed against in Sri Lanka. The people of Karandeniya have often been subjected to extreme forms of humiliation and even death by way of extrajudicial killings due to their belonging to the Wahumpura caste. A considerable number of persons who were killed in the two JVP insurrections were also from this caste. The whole issue of discrimination against castes, and particularly the worst forms of discrimination meted out to Wahumpura and Baddgama (Padu) castes, needs special attention by everyone who is concerned with the equality of all persons.
The alleged behavior of Dr. Prasanna Wijesinghe in not treating this serious injured patient, and him insulting the injured man on the basis of his caste origin, needs to be condemned. Earlier, a doctor who failed to properly examine a torture victim was suspended by the Medical Council for a period of two years. Chandila’s allegations about the treatment her received from this doctor should also be brought to the attention of the Medical Council.
For further details, please see the case in full below.
Chandila Padmakumara Gurusinghe (35), of Kiripedda, Babuwo Kanda, Karandeniya in Galle District, is married and the father of two children. He is a businessman by profession.
At 3 pm on 7 May 2013, Chandila was at C G Iron Works at Karandeniya when he noticed several police officers arriving by police jeep. He later identified them as Police Constable Silva (PC 53241) and Sub Inspector (SI) Prasanna Mendis (who is Officer-in-Charge of the Crime Branch). They were all wearing civilian clothing.
PC 53241 told him that they needed his services to measure a roof and asked him to get into the jeep, which was driven at the time by SI Mendis. While they were traveling, the two officers started talking and one said, “As police officers, there is nothing we cannot do.” Apparently in order to prove this, they stopped the police jeep at the 4th Mile Post in the middle of the road.
Then Chandila observed that a van was following their jeep and it stopped nearby. SI Mendis told the people in the van that they would meet in the evening for a drink, by which Chandila understood that they intended to drink alcohol. He noticed that there were four persons inside that van.
Chandila was then brought to the Karandeniya Police Station, where he expected to be given his work. However, instead of allowing him to do the business he was supposedly brought to the police station for, the officers started making rude comments. He realised that he had been illegally arrested. Chandila noticed that his elder brother Chandana Pradeep Gurusinghe and the Member of the Pradesheeya Saba (Local Government Authority of the area) were also there.
Chandila was brought to a room in the building next to the main compound of the police station, and there he was handcuffed to a bed.
Chandila asked SI Mendis to allow him to talk to his brother, Chandana, but this was refused and the door of the room was shut.
At 7.30 pm, SI Mendis came to Chandila and, without any reason, slapped him twice. He then questioned Chandila about a cinnamon trader. But when Chandila asked the SI to clarify his question, the officer said nothing. Then he bought Chandila to a cell inside the police station where Chandila remained until the following morning.
In the morning (May 8 ) an officer bought him to Inspector of Police (IP) Lal Chandrasiri (Officer-in-Charge of the Karandeniya Police Station). The OIC accused Chandila of committing robberies, stealing a gold chain and trading in illegal weapons. When Chandila denied these accusations the OIC allowed him to listen to an audio conversation with a mobile phone. However, the volume was faint and Chandila was not able to hear properly. Then the OIC openly stated that he hated people belonging to ‘Hakuru Caste’. (‘Mata Hakurangwa pennanna be.’) This was a derogatory reference to Wahumpura caste.
At that same time SI Mendis and PC 53241 arrived. The OIC questioned PC 53241 as to whether they could finish Chandila by filing a fabricated charge of the illegal possession of a bomb. PC 53241 said that they should try another method first as he was sure that Chandila would reveal everything they wanted. Chandila was returned to the cell and told that he was to be given one hour to think about the matter and then “tell the truth”. However, before the officers left, Chandila told them that he knew nothing of what they were talking about.
After some time, Chandila observed that Nihal Shantha, a cinnamon trader working in the same area, had arrived at the police station. Chandila noticed that Nihal behaved in an easy manner inside the police station, as if it was a familiar place to him. Nihal entered a room with SI Mendis and PC 53241, where they remained for about one hour.
After an hour, they came out of the room and brought Chandila out from the cell. This whole incident was witnessed by another detainee, who was in the same cell, named Podi Santha (Lasantha). Chandila then understood that the police officers were trying to fabricate a theft case of cinnamon against him.
As Chandila was brought out of the cell, the officer told Podi Santha, “It is your turn next, be ready”. By then it was 4 pm in the evening.
Chandila was brought to the kitchen of the police station by SI Mendis, PC 53241 and another officer. There the officers ordered him to remove all his clothes.
The officers started to shout at him using obscene language. They further accused him of being ‘Hakura’ (derogatory words used to insult and defame people belonging to that caste). Chandila felt that he was being discriminated against by the officers. The officers further humiliated him by saying that they “wanted to use his ass”.
The officers first bound Chandila’s hands behind his back. Then they threw another rope over a ceiling beam, which they attached to the rope binding Chandila’s hands. He was made to stand on a chair and the officers took up the slack on the rope. When they were ready, PC 53241 kicked the chair out from under Chandila, leaving him hanging by his wrists.
Chandila was in enormous pain and felt as if his shoulders and wrists were broken. Then SI Mendis asked him, “How are you feeling now, are you ready to tell the truth now?” With considerable courage, Chandila replied that he had nothing to say and reiterated that he had not committed any crime. SI Mendis then told other two officers that he had still had not sweated enough and to leave him in the same position for some more time.
After some time, Chandila does not know how long, he started sweating all over his body. However, when PC 53241 again asked him to tell the truth, Chandila told the PC that he had nothing to say.
Then Chandila felt that he was losing consciousness and his vision was fading.
The officers lowered him to the ground. Again, PC 53241 asked him if he was ready to reveal the truth. When Chandila again told him that he did not know anything and had not committed any crime the officers again hauled him up by the rope. Then PC 53241 started to beat Chandila’s feet with a broomstick and asked him if he was at least ready to tell a lie. PC 53241 also beat Chandila’s genitals, asking him if he was married or not.
PC 53241 then brought a plastic bag of chili powder and asked Chandila if he knew what he was going to do with it.
OIC Chandrasiri entered the kitchen and asked Chandila whether he knew a person called Susantha from Ambalangoda. When Chandila said that he did, the OIC ordered the other officers to release him. The officers did so and made him sit on the ground, propped up against the wall, as he could not support himself. Finally, the officers told him that they were going to file a fabricated charge for the illegal possession of a bomb and send him to prison for four years.
The officers told him to get dressed but he was not able to do so by himself. Another officer helped him dress and took him back to his cell. Chandila was in such pain and anguish that he was not able to do anything for himself. When he wanted to urinate, Podi Santha, who was inside the cell brought a Coca Cola bottle, undid the zipper of Chandila’s pants and helped him to relieve himself. Later, Podi Santha also helped him to drink some water and eat some rice.
That evening, around 50-60 people from the village arrived at the police station to visit Chandila. Among them was the Environmental Officer of the Local Government Institute of the area, Mr. Ananda Rupasinghe, who was there with his wife. Mr. Rupasinghe went directly to the OIC of the station and told him that Chandila was not a criminal, that he was innocent, but the OIC refused to release him.
The next morning, at around 10 am, SI Mendis entered the cell where Chandila was detained and told him that he could file any amount of cases against the police, protest all he wanted against the police, and reminded him that, if he did so, he would take Chandila to Ambalangoda Beach and sodomise him. Chandila understood that his life was in serious danger because of these police officers.
At 5 pm, the officers brought Chandila by jeep to the private dispensary of a doctor at Polwatte in Ambalangoda. The name of the doctor was Prasanna Wijesinghe. There were three police officers inside the jeep while taking him to the doctor including SI Mendis, PC 53241 and another officer. At the dispensary SI Mendis and PC 53241 went inside, leaving the other officer and Chandila in the jeep. After 30 minutes, the officer with Chandila was tired of waiting and knocked on the door. Chandila was brought inside and helped to sit on a chair in front of the doctor.
The doctor asked Chandila if he was from Karandeniya, to which he replied that he was. Then the doctor told him that he was the one who rescued the chief of his people and said that, “Your people do not have any gratitude at all”. Chandila understood that for some unknown reason the doctor was angry and wanted to discriminate against the people coming from Karandeniya. Chandila further realised that the doctor and the police officers all had an appalling attitude towards the people of his caste, which is considered to be low down on the hierarchical caste order and who are the predominant majority in the Karandeniya area. Chandila felt that he was being treated in a humiliating manner.
Then the doctor simply filled in the form that was presented to him by the police officers. He did not question or examine Chandila for his medical condition despite the fact that he was in severe pain after being subjected to inhuman torture. Chandila felt that the doctor did not carry out his duty as a professional but instead connived with the police officers to deny him of his rights.
After three days of detention inside the police station, the officers produced Chandila before the Magistrate of Elpitiya on 10 May 2013. When he was brought to the court it was not in session and he was produced before the Magistrate in his private chambers. When Chandila was produced, Mr. Dammika, Attorney-at-Law, appeared for him and Chandila revealed to the Magistrate that he had been tortured by the police officers. Chandila also informed the Magistrate that he had been arrested on 7 May, and therefore detained for more than 24 hours. However, the Magistrate did not question the police concerning this matter. He was remanded until 16 May 2013 and taken to the Galle Remand Prison.
At the prison, Chandila was not provided with any medical treatment that day but, as his condition worsened the following day (11 May), he was taken to the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital for medical treatment by the prison authorities at 9:30 am. Chandila explained to the doctor about how he was subjected to torture by the police officers. The doctor examined Chandila and recorded his condition and injuries.
Chandila was then produced before the Judicial Medical Officer (JMO), who also recorded photographic evidence of his injuries. Considering the severity of his condition, the JMO advised the prison authorities to admit Chandila to the hospital as an indoor patient for further treatment. The prison authorities initially refused and wanted to take Chandila back to the prison against the doctor’s advice, but the doctor insisted, and Chandila was later admitted to the Ward 58 of the hospital. He was treated at the hospital until 13 May before being returned to the Galle Remand Prison by the officers.
On 16 May 2013, Chandila was produced before the Magistrate of Elpitiya and released on bail. He is still taking treatment for the injuries he suffered at the police station.
Chandila learned that another of his brothers, Chaminda Pathmakumara, had made a complaint on 11 May 2013 to the Assistant Superintendent of Police of Elpitiya against his illegal arrest, detention and torture.
Upon his release, Chandila made a complaint to the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the Southern Province regarding the violation of his rights and was informed that there would be an inquiry on 23 May 2013. However, to date, no such inquiry has taken place.
Chandila later learned that police have filed a fabricated case against him under case No: 78654. Chandila believes that the police are fully aware of his innocence but filed the case to cover up the torture they perpetrated on him. He has yet to be informed of the charge. Chandila later learned that case has been postponed until 26 June 2013.
Chandila seeks justice.
Read it in Sinhala here
Related posts;
Native Vedda / June 10, 2013
Business as usual for the police.
Chilli powder, sodomy, ……………..seem favourite torture tools.
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Ben Hurling / June 10, 2013
Shameful!
How is it possible we never manage to solve this crime?
It has been going on as long as I can remember. Where are the leaders who have the courage and the vision to deal with this scourge of Police torutre once and for ever?
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Siri / June 10, 2013
If crimes to be properly controlled:
a) State should make genuine efforts – that is missing in SL
b) Police should be well structured – this is not the case in SL
c) Policians that work with police should be investigated and punished accordingly – this is unthinkable so long MR administration is in SL.
– Eg. Mervin, Duminda and many other PRADESHIEYA SABA members work with police against poor people in the country – there are prima fasie evidence collected by lanken Radiosenders/Journalists, if the state is genuine enough to go forward resolving
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Siri / June 10, 2013
U know Ben, why the leaders seem to have no guts is incomprehensible to anyone looking at the country especially being outside – what can the leaders loose if they would make wholehearted efforts in terms of introducing much better systems to the prevailing police system in the country – it is just that the top leadership is not capable of understanding the situation. Introducing better systems can lead the country to good improving the standard and quality of the life – if the incumbent president can revenge country ^s CJ and send her home comparably to the speed of their night car races, I dont know why the bugger is not genuine in this regard. Is it the funds that the country lacking to do so ? NO, foreign countries will undoubtedly help him if he would make them clear about this being most need for the country today.
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Siri / June 10, 2013
Not only police but the current parliament under the most criminal minded leader -MR and his cabinet.
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Rohan / June 10, 2013
If they do this much to Sinhala Buddhists, imagine what would have happened to the Tamils, particularly the girls…..
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Siri / June 10, 2013
We dont need to even discuss them here, we know how uncivilized majority folks in our country – where uncivilized are the majority, what cant go wrong.
Even things would become much worst, the leader himself is coming from a brutal background – trying all tricks to consolidate his powers cheating rural folks – who are the gullible targets – comparably to the system that ruled libya under Gadapi, Yugoslavia under Tito, the current System under NKorea, any many poor states in the Africa under african leaders. Honestly, MR ^s records cant be comparable to any previous leaders that the SRILANKA ever produced. He is born violent person, with unique genetics. bite the dust of tamil rebels have now become – pyrrhic victory for minority right thinking people, but not to stupid rural masses.
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Kumaran / June 12, 2013
Same thought on my mind as well, when I read the article.
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Mahela / June 10, 2013
After Buddhist monk’s self emulation, Police is practicing how to marinade a live human to prepare him for the next big Barbecue bash.
This will go nicely with the favourite Kasippu drink and the Ganja suruttu which are freely available in many Police stations.
Thge next human Barbeque ourlets in the making.
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Amarasiri / June 10, 2013
dear Native Vedda,
“The OIC then stated that he hated people from ‘Hakuru’ caste. (‘Mata Hakurangwa pennanna be.’) This was a derogatory reference to Wahumpura caste.”
We were brainwashed by the so called Sinhala Buddhists that the imported Sinhala and Buddhism are caste free unlike the Hinduism.
All this is Myth. It is Myth to perpetuate the Monk Hegemony.
Lanka was far moire peaceful and Egalitarian in the days of Veddah, Yakka, Naga and Raksayas. They were Jain, Animist and Hindu.
Look at Bali, 94% Hindu and peaceful.
Monk Buddhism, Monk Mahanama Buddhism is the curse of Lanka,
What we have is Mara culture and Mara Buddhism.
Like the Catholic Church accommodated thew German Nazis and Italian Fascists, the Sinhala Buddhist Monks are accommodating and abetting the Sri Lanka Nazi Fascist Maras, Lord Buddha warned about.
Lord Buddha, The Enlightened one, we need your help Now.
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Native Vedda / June 10, 2013
Amarasiri
“Look at Bali, 94% Hindu and peaceful.”
Look India with 82% of its population is Hindu, it has always been in trouble, be it with other religions or with its Dalits.
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Netizen / June 12, 2013
Truth is, such problems exist everywhere in one form or another – crude or sophisticated, overt or covert , in this guise or that – because humanity is prone to violence. Truth is, dhamma can solve the problem but only if it is understood, realised and then practiced. I suppose the same could be said for any religion or other faith. To blame religion for this problem would be to deprive this man who has suffered terrible violence the due respect he deserves. Our police system is a disgrace and more inclined to be the private army of various petty warlords, some of whom have, unfortunately, been placed in positions of power. And now our legal system is being dismantled for the same purpose.
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Wahumpura Curse / June 10, 2013
Eventhough, the BBS will not hesitate to chilli on the Enlightened One with a Leeloic applause.
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Jayantha / June 11, 2013
Amarasiri,
You say…….“The OIC then stated that he hated people from ‘Hakuru’ caste.”
Can you verify the cast of the Shaven head, wearing 3/4 body covered one piece cloth with bare feet and a begging bowl in arms resembles…Check their Knowledge, IQ and Intellectual powers.
They look absolutely blank, no brainer, no vision and no aim and Knowledge at all to me.
Go to India and check with the people there to find which cast these people resembles, who are now in Sri Lanka criminalising the society following the footsteps of racist Mahanama.
Soon they will be kicked out from the Respectable societies to the places where they originally belonged.
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Hingamoney / June 10, 2013
Now the said officers will have to drink tea without hakuru. Their time to the demise is counting down, the real Sinhala revolt is inevitable.
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Amarasiri / June 12, 2013
Awadiyaw! Awadiyaw! Awadiyaw!
Wake up! Wake up! Wake up!
Nagitiyaw! Nagitiyaw! Nagitiyaw!
Get up! Get up! Get up!
SL falls in Global Peace Index
lankatruth.com/english/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5166:sl-falls-in-global-peace-index&catid=42:smartphones&Itemid=74
Sri Lanka has fallen from 103rd position which it occupied last year to 110th position in this year’s Global Peace Index (GPI).
The world has become a less peaceful place according to the Institute for Economics and Peace. In their annual report, the Global Peace Index, they rank 162 countries by measuring security in society, the extent of conflict and the degree of militarization.
Iceland ranks 1st in the index while Afghanistan occupies the 162nd position. Interestingly, India is in 141st position.
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Amarasiri / June 12, 2013
Hingamoney and Amarasiri
“Sri Lanka has fallen from 103rd position which it occupied last year to 110th position in this year’s Global Peace Index (GPI).”
Why”
1. Sri Lanka has Mahanama Monk Buddhism
2. India has Hinduism, and caste System
3. Buddhism came out of Hinduism, and Sri Lanka still has caste system.
4. Iceland does not have Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam and even Christianity has a very low profile.
5. The Iceland data seem to support the hypothesis of Karl Marx,Religion is the opium of the masses.
6. The former Vikings are more Egalitarian than the preaching of the Religions and the hegemony of the Monks, Priests, Mullahs and Clerics.
DeJa Vu.. pardon my French.
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Fair N Square / June 10, 2013
Police torture and abuse is on the increase, they know that they can pull a string or two and get away.. even with a promotion.. Well, IF a DIG is capable of ” contracting” a killer who has murdered 9 ppl already, what can we expect from the lower ranks…… Come taste the miracle of Asia…..
The UN need to step in and arrest this epidemic before it kills way too many…why spend so much on dengue prevention ? instead spend on crime prevention by the police…. this is killing more people than dengue
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Amarasiri / June 13, 2013
Dear Fair and Square,
The police is to protect the rulers and the rulers protect the police. That is what is happening, in the Miracle pf Asia, Dharma Deepaya.
So there needs to a police to Protect the Tamils, Muslims, UNP and other opponents of the regime.
13A with Police and Land powers is the best solution at this point.
Listen.Police completely politicized – Sobitha Thero
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdZW_gk8fYI
MADULUWAWE SOBHITHA THERO
The above reason is why 13A is Needed.
The current police is a political police, to protect the politicians and harm the citizens. It is police of the Govt not the people.
So, need police of the people.
Will 13A give that to the people? 13A with Police and Land powers is the best solution at this point.
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Nandana / June 20, 2013
THIS STUPID CASTE RUBBISH IS AN EVIL TAUGHT BY SL BUDDISM
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Maamanithar / June 10, 2013
Hello Mr.”third eye” Are you around to claim that Mr.Nihal Shantha the cinnamon trader is a famous and honourable figure in the area !!? – which status ( according to you ) allow such people in our society a free hand to do any damn thing on the powerless. Also do you want us to look at the other side of the story of this gentleman trader too !!?
Mind you,interestingly another influential name ”Susantha”prevented this poor soul from more torture – not the law.!! Always a Wonder of Asia !!
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J.muthu / June 10, 2013
Sinhala Buddhist mongrels shouting about Tamil caste system, buggers never going to change. stong age mahavamsa modayas….how they treat their own people..let alone tamils…god save tamils from this stone age brainless…
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Ben Hurling / June 10, 2013
Muthu
I can assure you that your cousins, in your true hoemland in Tamil Nadu, torture people in Police custody far worse.
So, cut your BS.
PS: Yes. We do have a serious problem with Police torture in SL. Most Policemen are criminals themselves. Insulting Sinhalese will not solve this tragic problem. Don’t forget, we know how your hero VP treated prisoners.
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J.muthu / June 10, 2013
Biharies cousins of your true homeland worse than my cousins in tamilnadu. Sinhala budhism is curse for srilanka sadly we tamils of ealam suffer most. blood and violent in your blood my ben hurly man.
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Suq Madique / June 11, 2013
Tamils suffered more under the LTTE but none of you had the guts to open your mouths then.
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manisekaran / June 10, 2013
Why bring in every discussion about TN, dont you people know anything else to seek to improve yourself? huh? Did you live in TN prison to make this comments?
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Native Vedda / June 10, 2013
manisekaran
Since the Sinhala/Buddhists are your blood cousins they are simply following your customs, traditions and culture in politics and policing.
Are you surprised?
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Ben Hurling / June 11, 2013
Manisekaran,
It may have hurt your national pride. But, facts are facts.
I am sorry, Tamil Nadu Police is infamous for extreme Police brutality. I am not saying SL is any better.
PS: This has nothing to do with being Sinhalese or Tamil. This kind of cruelty transcends the racial divide. South Asians are 100 years behind the West in HR standards. I hate to admit, but true.
Police brutality is a common enemy to all of us. Should be fought as such.
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manisekaran thangavelu / June 11, 2013
then say pakistan/afganistan it is even worser, by pulling TN, you show your rascist attitude ( anti-tamil) and wear a mask covering moderate. Hypocrite! In actuality the police standard is far better under any JJ government.
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Ben Hurling / June 12, 2013
Revealing the truth is not racism.
Just been to Chennai. Loved it.
PS: You give JJ a lot of credit. But, I don’t.
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Kumaran / June 12, 2013
Ben,
True, police are bad in all the places. But in Tamilnadu Courts are very strong. If this sort of thing happens, the Courts immediately order suspension of the Police officers and ultimately they are dismissed from service.
Many times, the victims don’t approach the Courts. If they approach the Courts, then the police officers are gone.
A popular police officer was dismissed from service for ill-treating a retired soldier. Custodial deaths immediately result in suspension of the police personnel of the concerned station. Custodial rapes result in fast, punitive action. There are strict guidelines about taking women to the police station.
In India, the democratic institutions are very strong. The Courts, especially higher judiciary are very strong. This distinguishes India from her neighbors.
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Ben Hurling / June 12, 2013
Kumaran,
Happy to hear Judiciary in India is independent. And means business. I am happy for the people of India.
As you know in Sri Lanka things are moving in the opposite direction.
Assaulting and torturing citizens Police is supposed to protect has become a part of our culture.
Truly tragic. It is a battle all Sri Lankans must wage. A battle we must win.
I appreciate your positive input to the debate.
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manisekaran / June 13, 2013
@Ben, what you quoted is not fact,
In fact I made a ex commisioner who played with me with his connection to police. I just amde a online complaint, he never ever appeared in my after that. That’s why I say TN system is very good under JJ, you ask any tamils they will agree.
All land mafia were hiding last two years because of current governmnet. My point is when you discuss about yoru country speak with only relevenace to that.
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manisekaran / June 13, 2013
to be read “in my way”
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sach / June 12, 2013
when the jobless ones in TN always peep into SL sites and do nothing other than thinkin abt SL what is wrong in when the ones in SL want to talk abt TN?
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manisekaran / June 13, 2013
When you jobless singhalese do better job instead of harassing tamils in their homeland, we will keep quiet, we dont go to Bangaldesh and comment at them.
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Native Vedda / June 10, 2013
Ben Hurling
“Don’t forget, we know how your hero VP treated prisoners.”
VP didn’t run Sri Lankan police force.
He is dead and gone.
Sinhala/Buddhists elect their rulers and opposition, they man the state institutions including police and armed forces, recruitment to all state institutions are made by them, since they are in total control they have the moral legal duty to enforce law.
Why are you blaming VP for everything whilst the fault and responsibility lie with the stupid majority?
Be a man/woman and face the facts and deal with it appropriately.
You cannot blame others for your own mistakes. The sooner you own up the better for the future generations.
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Ben Hurling / June 11, 2013
Native Vedda,
I only bring VP in when LTTE rump makes it look like a barabaric, only Sinhalese can crime.
Torture does not discriminate. It is an equal opportunity crime.
Truth is all suffer terribly from this horrendous cruelty in Sri Lanka. I admit Tamils suffered a lot more given the war against LTTE etc.
What we now have is a national struggle to rid the Police of criminality. That could be more difficult than defeating the LTTE.
PS: We might need a revolution to change this disgusting culture of torturing people.
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Native Vedda / June 11, 2013
Ben Hurling
“We might need a revolution to change this disgusting culture of torturing people.”
You have to be bit careful whenever you mention the word “revolution”.
Wherever you are, your local unintelligent agencies keep a tap on your communications and you might be denied visa to visit USA. As you know they know all about you, me and other 7 billion people.
The unintelligent agencies also keep a record of what you do on a minute by minute basis.
Currently revolution is a dirty word except in Libya and Syria. Sri Lanka no, no no.
While we are on this subject, my elders were informed that the former members of Pottu Amman department are joyfully working for Gota and they report directly to Defense ministry, snitching on armed forces in the North East.
Please note how useful Pottu Amman’s intelligence apparatus have become, contributing to one nation, one leader and one family.
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manisekaran thangavelu / June 11, 2013
Yes they have access and ability to extract minute details from all ISP.
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Suq Madique / June 10, 2013
Muthu, your tone and language suggests you are from a caste which languishes in abuse and hatred. Unlike you we will not stereotype and class all tamils as morons because of a few misguided misfits. God save you from yourself!
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J.muthu / June 11, 2013
Dear Suq,
why don’t shut up, get alife…u worthless and no spine and typical thoppis.
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Suq Madique / June 11, 2013
Muthu…your lack of class surfaces again. I rest my case!
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Nodrog / June 11, 2013
Muthu…seems like you are the one who needs to get a life. You sound like a typical dickhead with a one-track mind. Hate has clouded your vision and you can’t see beyond the bullshit you were brainwashed with. As long as there are phony suckers like you there will never be peace between tamils and Sinhalese because you thrive on animosity. Good luck with your pathetic life.
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Lobo / June 11, 2013
Muthu..your reply leaves no doubt as to what caste you belong to. Resorting to name-calling is typical sign of limited vocabulary and lack of good up-bringing. Thankfully the majority of Tamils are not like you otherwise there would be no hope for them.
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sach / June 12, 2013
considering Suq’s name u assumed him to be muslim and insulted him saying typical thoppis. right? and u are commenting on these police officers who insulted this man for his caste!
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Safa / June 10, 2013
There appear to be many such cases of torture in the south and we can well imagine what is happening in other areas. The case of a DIG involved in abduction and murder is currently under investigation. Unfortunately the final result appears to be the dragging of these cases by the police themselves and released of all the perpetrators on bail. This DIG was involved in another case involving his son and a fellow student and that too seems to have been hushed up. At that stage I think he was only an SSP and now he is a DIG.
One can only conclude that such actions are encouraged by the regime and those who carry out such are given state protection and immunity. It is one of the proposals of the LLRC that police should come under the civilian authorities, but this is being contested by the Secretary of Defense and Army Chief. Also the current topic of police powers to PC ‘s is relevant. The regime cannot continue to hang on to the police powers if this is the state of affairs.
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justice / June 10, 2013
The behaviour of the police is as expected and of course there will not be any investigation.
This is why the state must provide attorneys to be present when persons are interrogated in custody.This is the norm in civilised societies of advanced democracies.
The ‘doctor’ has deserted his Hippocratic Oath in his encounter with this hapless victim of the police.
But,the attitude and behaviour of the magistrate before whom Chandila was produced by the police was the most atrocious and is an insult to all norms of justice.The magistrate’s attitude appears to condone what happened to Chandila and “approval” of his illegal arrest and complete indifference to Chandila’s complaint of torture and his complaint of bodily pain.
Instead of ordering production of Chandila immediately before the JMO and/or admission to hospital,he had remanded him on 10 May even though the former was in severe pain and his attorney was present.
The prison officers too appear to have shown complete indifference to Chandila’s condition in trying to take him back to prison against the doctor’s advice.
The minor judiciary appear to act in collusion with police in most cases of torture in custody.
Are they afraid of the police?
When politcians and persons of stature in society are produced before magistrates,they invariably end up in paying wards of hospitals,after sudden “illness” – certified by doctors!
The Attorney General and Chief Justice should take note and issue strict guidelines regarding persons produced by police before magistrates.
Inquiry into injuries suffered by persons in custody must be made expeditious and compulsory.
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Siri / June 10, 2013
Assume that Sharia Law would be implemented to lanken rule of law –
who would be the top of the list
– MR and his cabinet ministres, pradesheeya saba MPs
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shankar / June 10, 2013
Peter Casiechetty must be salivating and jerking off when reading the details of the torture.
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shankar / June 10, 2013
This man looks a decent innocent fellow.Surely can’t the police look at him and tell that he is not a criminal.Something is wrong with this police force.All the brainless idiots and thugs seem to have got jobs in the Srilankn police force.Too much of brawn and no brains it seems.
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Siri / June 10, 2013
Police torture of lanken standards are comparable to those of Chinese. Now being much closer to China, lanken leader will learn new form of torture to harm own people. There are youtube videos that show chinese behaviours against anyone who would go against their draconian laws.
So long the rulers would not pay close attention reforming the entire police structure of the country, nothing would change. If these are single issues, they should be investigated without delay. However, It is not bearable the manner the the rulers stay doing enough against any kind of brutal policists. Just changing their police stations solve the problem. Like many developed countries, police should be given regular trainings. US and Eu countries offer workshops for developing countries; lanken diplomatic missions should work on this areas with the ministry of external affairs.
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LANKIAN / June 10, 2013
SRI LANKA IS IN TOTAL ANARCHY? ILLEGAL ARRESTS AND POLICE TORTURE ARE ON THE INCREASE? ABSENCE OF LAW AND ORDER? MR & GOTA’S HANDS ARE BLOOD STAINED? DEFENSE SECRETARY OPENLY DEFENDING THE NOTORIOUS CRIMINALS? CREATING DIVISIONS AND CLASHES BETWEEN COMMUNITIES TO STAY IN POWER? THIS IS THE MIRACLE OF ASIA??? TEAR DROP OF INDIAN OCEAN IS REALLY IN TEARS???
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AYMAN / June 11, 2013
SRI LANKA- URINE DROP OF INDIA!!!!!
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Siri / June 10, 2013
I think what I read just now is worst than lanken police torture against anyone taken to custody.
Ms Ekanaligoda responds to latest news about her Husband is said to be living in France according to an UFTA MP.
dailymirror.lk/news/30670-eknaligodas-wife-willing-to-debate-mp.html
They not only send journalist go missing, but also treat the family ones causing further pains. See, how difficult those school going young children to digest all these uncertainties. This is by the miserable world created by MR.
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Cincinattus / June 10, 2013
This indeed is not only very shocking,but very surprising too.According to comments on these pages, and in the newspaopers like the Island and the Nation too, the Sinhalse do not practice caste discrimination and only the Tamils do! Indeed a thoroughly scurrilous jounalist has made a career of making this claim, not to mention certain ex-civil servants and political pundits Many in fact have cited the deeply scholarly work of one Rasalingham to even say that since Tamils practice caste discrimination they are not entitled to equality of citizenship!
Over to you Sinlala nationalists.It ius possible of course that you were merely ignorant,and not malicious, of the working of you own society but were experts on Tamil society.
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Citizen / June 10, 2013
Sri Lanka has become Satan’s country.
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Lanka Muslim, UK / June 11, 2013
A state that has lost all forms of decency, ethics, morals, efficiency, honesty and inability to rule.
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AYMAN / June 11, 2013
THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD S.A.W.S. PROPHESIED 1400 YEARS AGO OF WHAT
WE ARE WITNESSING TODAY. IT IS SATANS COUNTRY,
THE LATEST NEWS THE ARREST OF SSP VAAS GUNAWARDENE – “GOTA’S” MAN
JUST READ THIS;
Sahih Muslim Book 034, Number 6460:
Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) having said: The time would draw close to the Last Hour and knowledge would decrease. The rest of the hadith is the same.
11. The spread of zina (adultery, fornication)
12. The spread of riba (usury, interest)
13. The prevalence of musical instruments.
14. Widespread drinking of alcohol.
15. Shepherds competing in the construction of tall buildings.
16. A slave woman giving birth to her mistress, as is stated in al-Saheehayn. There are several views among the scholars as to what this means. The view favoured by Ibn Hajar is that there will be widespread disobedience among children, so that a child will treat his mother as a master treats his slave woman, with negligence and insults.
17. Widespread killing.
18. Widespread earthquakes.
19. Appearance of landslides, transformations and stones from heaven.
20. Appearance of women who are clothed yet naked.
21. Believer’s dreams coming true.
22. Widespread giving of false testimony and concealment of true testimony.
23. Large numbers of women.
Book 034, Number 6452:
Qatida reported that Anas b. Malik said: May I not narrate to you a hadith which I heard from Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) which no one would narrate to you after me who would have personally heard it from him (the Holy Prophet) (as I have the good fortune to do so)? -” It is from the signs of the Last Hour that knowledge would be taken away, ignorance would prevail upon (the world), adultery would become common, wine would be drunk, the number of men will fall short and the women would survive (and thus such a disparity would arise in the number of men and women) that there would be one man to look after fifty women
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Ben Hurling / June 11, 2013
Ayman,
Are you talking about Saudi Arabia?
So called Islamic nations are the worst offenders of torture.
PS: When CIA wants to have suspects torutred, they send suspects to Musilm majority nations. Consider it done. Fact.
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Lee / June 11, 2013
Ben…the above Hadith does not exclude Muslim countries. Especially the sayings like ” Shepherds would compete to build tall towers” are more applicable to Gulf Muslim countries. These are general signs of the end times as per our prophet. At one point Quran it self will be taken away from the man kind and all doors of repentance will be shut. Fear this day, believe in the All mighty, be just, kind and compassionate if you want to be saved.
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Kumaran / June 12, 2013
Ayman, It looks as if you are insane. World is not going to end shortly and such prophesies are indications that there is something wrong with those who utter these and those who believe in these.
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sach / June 12, 2013
so why living here? get out!
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Afzal / June 11, 2013
The humiliation, mental agony for having to undergo such torture must be immense. The person will be overcome with unimaginable urge for revenge.I thought the Sri Lankans does not care much about the cast unless when it comes to marriage. I was wrong.
This is the second torture case reported within this month. These poor individuals life will be turned upside down, on top of the difficulties of getting on with day to day life now they have spend on lawyers and what not. From where can ordinary citizens get justice on such barbaric actions by police ? Who will rectify these issues and how long it will take the police to change. Instead of general public addressing them Sir, it is they who should address the citizens as Sir and Madam !
1st of all law enforcing authority should learn to respect people. I recently read how a school boy and his parents were humiliated by a OIC of a police station.
In Sri Lanka the common man has no rights. People are treated like stray dogs by every Tom, Dick and Harry who holds iota of authority. On the other hand we the public are also stupid we keep voting the same lot over and over again.
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Jayanth / March 3, 2014
During the early Colonial era Deva (Raja /Bamunu) tribesmen never converted to Christianity nor changed their surnames nor did they join the newly amalgamated Govigama / Goy caste of agricultural laborers and slaves because the Devas were of highest standing coming from the Raja (Royalty) and Bamunu (Priests) upper castes or Kshatriya and Brahmins and did not see any need to create themselves a new identity or caste status in the then Sinhalese society by joining the low caste Govigama caste.
The newly formed Govigama caste which came to prominence in the colonial period tarnished, ridiculed and obscured the identity of the Royal Deva Tribes, due to envy that the Deva tribe having the exclusive Kshatriya and Brahmin status in the social hierarchy. Thence low caste Govigamas launched a campaign to rename and identify the Deva tribe with an obscure and an invented caste called Wahumpura.
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jayanth / March 3, 2014
Wikipaedia says
The newly formed Govigama caste which came to prominence in the colonial period tarnished, ridiculed and obscured the identity of the Royal Deva Tribes, due to envy that the Deva tribe having the exclusive Kshatriya and Brahmin status in the social hierarchy. Thence low caste Govigamas launched a campaign to rename and identify the Deva tribe with an obscure and an invented caste called Wahumpura.
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Samantha Gunathilake / March 10, 2015
That time of rude rule and politicization of police is over. It is now the Yahapalana where this case must be again taken and give justice to the victim. Those who violate law by the name of law must be given double punishment.
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