I saw Sumith pushed off the building, says wife

20 January 2016 11:12 pm - 16 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Shashika Nishamani Munasinghe, the widow of Sumith Prasanna Munasinghe (29) who died after a controversial fall from a three-storey building in Embilipitiya two weeks ago, during a clash with the police said yesterday that she seen her husband being pushed off the building.

Addressing a media briefing held in Maradana yesterday at which her daughter, mother and some of Sumith Prasanna’s relatives were also present, she said that they were not at all satisfied with the way the police investigations were conducted.

“My husband was never involved in any sort of crime, but he had a habit of speaking out against injustice irrespective of the status of those responsible for the injustice. Today I have lost him because of that.

"Attempts made by us to reveal what we saw that night have failed. The police ignored our revelations. There are many eye witnesses who are keen on giving statements to the police. But no statements from those who witnessed the incident were taken by the police during their so-called investigations,” she said.

She described what she witnessed as follows.

“At around 11.30 pm I heard a loud noise at the house party where my husband was helping the organisers. I came out of my house and ran towards that house. Several men were being beaten by men wielding batons. A police jeep was stopped in front. I ran here and there looking for my husband, despite my poor health. I found him arguing with some police officers. He was asking them not to break the law and to do their duty properly. I was afraid. I dragged him away and begged him to go home even if some injustice had been done. As we were leaving, the party organisers asked us to have dinner. Suddenly, some police officers came up and pointed my husband out to other police officers who were in plainclothes. They dragged my husband away by his collar. When I was clung to his hands, I was pushed away by the police. He was taken upstairs, then I heard the sound of glass breaking. I rushed upstairs and saw my husband being pushed out of the building. He was begging them not to beat him, but they paid no heed. Finally I found him on the floor in a pool of blood. No one offered to take him to hospital. Later he was taken to hospital in a three-wheeler but I lost him,” Sumith's weeping wife said.

She said police had obstructed her when giving her statement at the DIG's office in Ratnapura. She was suspicious of the conduct of the police and the manner in which officers of the Embilipitiya Police and the DIG's office in Ratnapura recorded her complaint.

The impartiality of the ongoing investigations was doubtful, she said.

Meanwhile, Attorney at Law Vijitha G. Punchihewa, who is representing the victim’s relatives, asked the police to submit the police investigation report issued by DIG C.D. Wickramaratne on the death of Sumith Prasanna.

Social activist Udul Premaratne, who is also a lawyer, said they would take legal action against, "another funny and dramatic turn of events" -- where Police Spokesman ASP Ruwan Gunasekara handled the witnesses on behalf of the police at the magisterial inquiry.

He said this had already destroyed their expectation of an impartial hearing. (Piyumi Fonseka)

Pic by Lahiru Harshana

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Comments - 16

police moda Thursday, 21 January 2016 05:57 PM

Ask America for a saterlite video clip.

mnsmart Thursday, 21 January 2016 06:40 PM

Police should behave in a more responsible manner.

Mason Thursday, 21 January 2016 06:48 PM

Whatever may be said, it remains that the Police and Politicians are a law unto themselves, and mostly go scott free of every criminal act.

J de Silva Wednesday, 27 January 2016 03:00 PM

The IGP should resign or be sacked if he can not discipline the police force!

Ranjan Fernando Sunday, 24 January 2016 05:15 PM

It shows that nothing has changed with the authorities except the Press freedom that informs us of the happenings.

Saman Thursday, 21 January 2016 07:14 PM

Is this is the "Wenasa" promised by Yahapalana leaders???Ayyo Ape Rata iwaray..

Lanka Thursday, 21 January 2016 07:59 PM

The country is in a bloody mess......

Marc Thursday, 21 January 2016 11:16 AM

Sri Lankan police have been absolutely dysfunctional in the past. Good time for them to prove they can do better than what we, the public have come to expect of them.

The God Father Thursday, 21 January 2016 08:10 PM

Her body language suggests that she is telling the truth.

Prr Thursday, 21 January 2016 11:25 AM

This is a shame.Please provide the Justice and prove the good governance.Please issue the POLICE commission report on this ASAP.

Sunil Thursday, 21 January 2016 09:35 PM

Shameful police ,Cruelsome murderers

Namal Silva Friday, 22 January 2016 06:11 PM

Come on Police, we cannot trust you if you behave like this - do you buggers this k you are still in the "white van" period ? IGP pull your fi her out ! Get some confidence for our people, shame on the Police ! !

Alupura Perera Friday, 22 January 2016 06:15 PM

When our Police are bloody thugs how can Joe Citizen be a good boy ? Bad example ! Sri Lanka Police behaving like world class thugs ?

suresh Thursday, 21 January 2016 08:28 AM

Good chance to prove yahapalanaya exists (if it really does)

Mandy Thursday, 21 January 2016 08:32 AM

Both Police and relatives are interested parties and will give evidence to suit their side. Any video or other independent evidence is best.

ET Friday, 22 January 2016 05:33 AM

Who is the mimister in charge of police? He is very silent. Nest is to send him packing in 5 years if Yahapalanaya does not manifest in this incident.

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I saw Sumith pushed off the building, says wife

Comments - 16

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