Sri Lanka: Torture of Interior Decorator

Sri Lanka: An Update On the Case of Torture of the Interior Decorator Madawala Maddumage Don Aruna Nilupul Indika

Last week the Asian Human Rights Commission reported the incident of the torture of a well-known interior decorator, Mr. Madawala Maddumage Don Aruna Nilupul Indika (39), of Mahagedara, Devala Road, Welipenna in the Kalutara District, by several police officers of the Mataguma Police Station. The officer who played the most active role in Nilupul's arrest and torture was Raveendra Pushapakumara, Officer-in-Charge of the Crime Branch of the Matugama Police.

Nilupul reported the incident to all the relevant Sri Lankan authorities and it appears that an inquiry into the matter is underway.

Meanwhile on the June 17, 2013 the officer, Raveendra Pushapakumara, arrived at Nilupul's house in the company of another police officer. He explained to Nilupul that he had been tortured due to the complaint made by Ms. Anoma Siriweera, an Attorney-at-Law and her husband. The officer then requested Nilupul to withdraw the complaint he had made.

The photograph shown above shows the police officers speaking with Nilupul. It was recorded by a security camera in Nilupul's house.

Nilupul has written to the Inspector General of Police and the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka in order to prevent such pressure being exercised on him to stop him from pursuing justice.

It is almost a regular practice of police officers accused of torture and who are subjected to inquiries to bring exert pressure and even make severe threats against victims of torture who are courageous enough to make complaints. In two instances the victims were assassinated. They are those of Gerald Perera who pursued a complaint against officers of the Watalla Police Station and Sugath Nishanta Fernando who was pursuing a complaint against the Negombo Police.

The Asian Human Rights Commission urges the Inspector General of Police, the National Police Commission and the government of Sri Lanka to provide immediate protection to Nilupul. Please see here the statement issued by the AHRC on the original incident and also the letter addressed by the AHRC to His Excellency, The President of Sri Lanka.

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About AHRC: The Asian Human Rights Commission is a regional non-governmental organisation that monitors human rights in Asia, documents violations and advocates for justice and institutional reform to ensure the protection and promotion of these rights. The Hong Kong-based group was founded in 1984.

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