Urujuwa and Tharaka killings strongly condemed

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has come out strongly on the3 killings of two suspects in police custody, namely Melon Mabula alias ‘Uru Juwa’ and Tharaka Perera Wijesekera alias ‘Kosgoda Tharaka’  were shot by the police saying that an incident took place.

 

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka said that  On May 12, 2021, an Attorney-at-Law representing Tharaka Perera Wijesekera informed the BASL by e-mail that his client had been suddenly transferred from the custody of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to a special police Unit at Peliyagoda and that he fears that his client will be killed in custody.

 

Acting upon the complaint of the Attorney-at-Law, between 2000 and 2100 hours the President of the BASL informed the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mr. Chandana Wickremeratne via email to [email protected] and also by text message and WhatsApp the apprehensions of the said Attorney-at- Law and reminded the IGP that the Police and the State have a duty to protect persons in their custody. The IGP was reminded that the Supreme Court in many decisions has re-iterated the duty and responsibility cast on the State to ensure the safety and security of persons in its custody.

 

The Attorney-at-Law concerned had also informed the IGP, the Director CID and the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka of his concerns. Despite the said notifications by the BASL on behalf of an Attorney-at-Law representing his client, the news media has now reported that Tharaka Wijesekera has been killed while being detained by the Peliyagoda Special Crimes Division, allegedly "when he tried to attack police while recovering some weapons". This happened at a time when the Police including the IGP had been notified of the same.

 

On May 11, 2021 another suspect named Melon Mabula alias ‘Uru Juwa’ had met his death in a similar manner. We are informed that representations were made to the police as regards his safety, prior to his death. Said the BASL