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Video: Noori villagers fear return of terror

12 August 2013 04:26 am - 31     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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By Hafeel Farisz and Darshana Sanjeewa reporting from Noori- Deraniyagala

Villagers in Noori, Deraniyagala yesterday demanded that immediate action be taken against police officers who were in charge of the Deraniyagala Police division during the reign of terror that lasted for over a decade, stating that until such action was taken they could not trust the police.

Speaking at a meeting held at the Basnagala Tamil Vidayalaya, attended by SP Seethawaka Range Anuruddha Rupasinghe, ASP Sarath Kumara, newly appointed OIC Gayan Prasanna and other police officials, villagers said that they fear a return of terror to the area.

“We fear a return of terror to this village like we experienced for over ten years. The police and area politicians were the main culprits who encouraged this terror and we want action taken against them. There is no point in clipping off a flower without taking out the root from the tree” U. Sameera, a retired Army officer said.

Earlier villagers had alleged that Anil Champika alias Athakota, the former Deraniyagala Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman, was allegedly supported by Chief Minister Maheepala Herath and his son, current Member of Parliament, Kanaka Herath.

Herath is alleged to have proclaimed that Champika was “the best Chairman in the area”, and is alleged to have given contracts belonging to the provincial council to Champika’s relatives and friends among other such benefits which included jobs. Anil Champika is currently in remand custody over the killing of Estate Superintendent Nihal Perera. Villagers alleged that Anil Champika and his gang ‘reigned terror’ in the area for over a decade with the police turning a blind eye to their activities.

Champika and his gang are alleged to have been involved in committing atrocities such as rapes, shootings, assaults and murders in the area with his power increasing after he was elected Chairman of the Deraniyagala PS. “The Police were made to kneel down in uniforms and their heads were dashed on the Police jeep, I’ve seen this and many people present here have too,” he said.

The villagers also handed over a complaints book which contained all the complaints made to the police during Champika’s reign, about which no action was taken by previous Police officials.

U. Padmakumara, while explaining how he was remanded for 19 days by the Police for the allegedly lodging a complaint against Champika at the police station, said that the villagers fear a return to violence due to the “political power behind Champika”.

When questioned by SP Anuruddha Rupasinghe said that an investigation is currently underway to take action against Police officers alleged to have supported the crimes but failed to give specifics.



Police listen to villagers who demanded immediate action against Police officers who were in charge of the Deraniyagala Police
 

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  Comments - 31

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  • Ranjith Silvar Monday, 12 August 2013 06:22 AM

    According to Body Language, the officer in the third sweat from left is a lair. He has many things to hide his face. The first person is not a responsible person. The second has come to specs time and relax. No one is taking notes, which is important any discussion to follow actions. The set of lairs paid and maintained by public funds.

    NaraLowaHolman Tuesday, 13 August 2013 07:09 PM

    Not only Noori Villages, how many people, places, would be having criminals like this. Never release them, hang them, so the pople would live fearlessly, sleep peacefully.

    ramesh Tuesday, 13 August 2013 04:32 AM

    Palitha- I could not have said any better

    Thomas Ranger Tuesday, 13 August 2013 02:42 AM

    Prabakaran's Police was top bracket. Even smoking was banned during Madhu festivels. Rajapaksha's Police is garbage.

    xlntgson Monday, 12 August 2013 02:33 PM

    #atha kota, #sujee, Police powers are yet to devolved, but can be usurped by strongmen! Might is right?

    Attention Monday, 12 August 2013 12:53 PM

    NO LAW AND ORDER IN THE ISLAND.MUST BE REMOVED STARS FROM THESE USELESS POLICE OFFICERS.

    Esala Monday, 12 August 2013 11:24 AM

    Apoint D.I.G. LATIFF as area commander. Very good officer to control all poice stations and politikcos like this. Don't keep him without work at Tranning school. We need officers with back bone.

    John Monday, 12 August 2013 09:16 AM

    Yes DM, you keep the nation informed with facts.

    pieris Monday, 12 August 2013 07:57 AM

    SRILANKA POLICE NEW NAME AS SRILANKA POLITICO POLICE

    PRASANNAJIT Monday, 12 August 2013 07:57 AM

    Yes, it seems by looking at their faces nothing had gone into their heads. They are just their as a showpiece.

    Ralph Anthony Kern Monday, 12 August 2013 07:39 AM

    The Police could be trusted but not the so-called UPFA Ministers, starting from top to bottom

    Sujee Monday, 12 August 2013 07:16 AM

    This is another examples of giving (in this case, unofficially) Police powers to the Provincial Ministers..

    Batangala Monday, 12 August 2013 06:34 AM

    Unfortunately there is hardly any politicians or high ranking police officers who see these comments via WEB. Otherwise they must be ashamed themselves.

    Atha kota Monday, 12 August 2013 06:27 AM

    Today police powers have been taken over by politicians....

    Chan Monday, 12 August 2013 06:23 AM

    I think before punishing those policemen, full investigation should be carried out to find if they ('Deraniyagala police) had enough authority to take action against this gang of murderers or their inaction was solely due to political pressure/non-consent of their superior officers (I don't expect this to happen, but still....). I may put the blame largely on the political authority, not on those low-rank policemen. Really sad about the way things happening in our motherland nowadays.

    C.K.Lankaputhra Monday, 12 August 2013 06:22 AM

    Why in a hurry. Wait until it becomes another Weliweriya.
    Playing Veena to deaf elephant.

    Palitha Silva Monday, 12 August 2013 12:00 AM

    Criminals are the most respected in present Sri Lanka. Now people are killing each other for pride

    PRASANNAJIT Monday, 12 August 2013 06:12 AM

    We must appreciate the courage of these innocent villagers to come out against these rogues. Also must commend DM in highlighting this. This is what we expect from the media, but must go on till a solution is found. Not to have a natural death as the earlier issues.

    LonwaboTsotsobe Monday, 12 August 2013 06:09 AM

    fear of the CM... yet another terrorist in this power hungry land.

    Rumesh Monday, 12 August 2013 06:06 AM

    Maheepala Herath is still the CM, police should arrest him too, where is the law? politics runs everything

    ANTON Monday, 12 August 2013 05:57 AM

    IS THE POLICE LISTENING TO THE VILLAGERS ? ONE OFFICER IS SLEEPING.

    ANTON Monday, 12 August 2013 05:42 AM

    FEARFUL, INNOCENT FACES OF THE VILLAGERS TELL THE TRUE STORY.

    Balla Monday, 12 August 2013 05:33 AM

    Tell me for us to trust the police department do we have law and order in our country? Nooooo way!!! this is the Miracle

    dayaweerasingheYou l Monday, 12 August 2013 05:33 AM

    This is one of the symptoms of a banana republick....."Fear".

    Kondebedapucheena Monday, 12 August 2013 05:30 AM

    As Long as CM and Son say they remember Athakota this will exist

    Kiris Baba Ameray Monday, 12 August 2013 05:24 AM

    Now the Police Department is a Puppet Department under the present regime and no action will be taken against Police.

    duppi nana Monday, 12 August 2013 05:16 AM

    What is Police doing.They are roughs like the Politicians who are governing the country.They too must make a buck to raise there families.Price of everything is so high as all most all Ministers grab the Public funds and put them in there Banks for there own sake.This is a open secret in this country and after a decade has passed don't talk bullshit.The damage has done for the life Mr.Nihal .Perera.
    .

    Sanje Monday, 12 August 2013 05:00 AM

    What a shame for the Police . Going so low. what type of aliens are they..? don't they have families......? What a Chief Minister and a Son. What a country.. If the Govt don't take errant action it;s just matter of time the villages take arms against perpetrators and it will spread to other areas too.
    Miracle of Asia....
    Thank you DM having the backbone to publish the documentary.
    Keep monitoring the progress and keep the public informed .

    BuffaloaCitizen Monday, 12 August 2013 04:59 AM

    These incidents are a personification of culture of the President bcos the Police and Ministers involved are all under his direction. If the concerned policemen have been transferred without arrest and putting them in remand, it is just a trick to circumvent justice. If those politicians including Atha Kota are still in power and not behind bars, it just shows how close they are to the President, similar to the Tangalle incident. We truly are a banana republic of asia.

    Lankan Monday, 12 August 2013 12:00 AM

    Prabakaran's police much more better than Rajapakse's police via DM Android App

    Kay Parker Monday, 12 August 2013 04:51 AM

    Who can trust the Sri Lankan Police??


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