Gota faces ten claims for damages in US from torture victims: ITJP

27 June 2019 06:32 pm - 8 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The International Truth and Justice Project (ITJP) today said former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa faces ten new claims for damages in the US from victims of torture inflicted upon them.

In a statement, the ITJP said the claims have been filed in the District Court for the Central District of California from victims of torture inflicted while he was secretary of defence.

"In court documents filed on June 26, the new plaintiffs, who remain anonymous in order to secure their safety, describe horrific violations they suffered in police stations and army camps under the ultimate control of Mr. Rajapaksa. They were branded with hot metal rods, whipped with cables, asphyxiated by plastic bags soaked in petrol put over their heads, and six of them were repeatedly raped and sexually assaulted. The ten plaintiffs include three women; eight are Tamil and two Sinhalese," it said.

It said the case was the product of a six-year-long investigation by the ITJP, in partnership with the international law firm Hausfeld, which represents the victims in the proceedings.

According to ITJP, the plaintiffs had alleged that Mr. Rajapaksa was in command of security forces that systematically abducted tortured, raped, and extorted money from suspects with impunity from 2005-2015.

"Plaintiffs also identified security officials they allege were directly involved in their torture, including a top investigative police officer, Nishantha de Silva, whom a victim alleges tortured him twice in Colombo," it said.

ITJP's executive director Yasmin Sooka said that alleged perpetrators remain in key investigative positions in the police force showed why Sri Lankans have been unable to achieve justice inside the country. One Tamil plaintiff, suing Mr. Rajapaksa under the pseudonym Vidhya Jayakumar, alleges that she was sexually enslaved for three years in army camps after the end of the civil war in 2009.

"Frankly, this is the worst account of sexual slavery I have ever encountered. The sexual violence inflicted by Gotabaya's security forces against our clients—and the total impunity for perpetrators—shows that rape was part of institutional policy in Sri Lanka," Scott Gilmore at Hausfeld said.

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Comments - 8

Jeyanathan Thursday, 27 June 2019 09:57 PM

First these LTTE diaspora must pay compensation for all the high caste Hindu Tamils cruelly executed on the orders of Prabakaran. This list includes Tamil Lawyers, Tamil Academics, Tamil Intellectuals, Tamil Businessmen, and Tamil Humanitarians.

Arshard Thursday, 27 June 2019 10:04 PM

Must put this man in jail without wasting time, he’s simply a murderer and not suitable for presidency

rasan Thursday, 27 June 2019 10:15 PM

Most Sri Lankan know that they couldn't or cannot speak out against atrocities because they are afraid of facing consequences. It is an open secret. We know why they are afraid. The most important thing anyone suppress people's basic right by using national security is an abuse of power and should face consequences

Sashi Thursday, 27 June 2019 11:32 PM

Curious as to why all these allegations are surfacing now! Strategic timing just before elections?

Ranjan Friday, 28 June 2019 05:34 AM

This is a joke. Taking action after 10 years.

joshua Friday, 28 June 2019 07:37 AM

Ha Haa there is still hope. Over to fowl mouthed Weerawansa

The only way out Friday, 28 June 2019 09:16 AM

Ratnay, Wimalay - just start a fast with energy giving drinks in requesting the US courts to throw out these claims.

Dee Friday, 28 June 2019 10:05 AM

Capt. America! You ran away from SL during war. Now where you going to hide in ? SL ?

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Gota faces ten claims for damages in US from torture victims: ITJP

Comments - 8

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