'Kama' night club bouncers allegedly assault youth

7 July 2013 05:05 pm

In a continuing spree of violence unleashed by bouncers at reputed nightclubs in Colombo, a 21-year-old youth who was severely assaulted early on Saturday by the bouncers of Kama Colombo - Galle Face, Colombo 2, is currently receiving treatment at the National Hospital in Colombo.

Kama’s response

When the Daily Mirror contacted Kama Colombo on a number that was provided on its website, a person identifying himself as the public relations manager, refused to provide any information regarding the incident. “Why are you….. ing trying to fix me in this, I’m the public relations manager and I don’t know about this. All I know is that the bouncers were not involved.  You can talk to my boss,” he said. When the Daily Mirror asked for a contact number of his ‘boss’ the hostile public relations manager refused to provide it. “I can’t give it to you, why should I?” he asked.

The Kollupitiya Police said a businessman and a bouncer identified by the victim and eye witnesses, had fled their residences and were still at large.

“A businessman and another person are suspected to have been involved in the incident. Both of them are still at large and we are investigating to apprehend them immediately” police said.

The club’s bouncers who acted as private security personnel had allegedly taken the law into their hands and mercilessly beaten the young student, forcing him down a flight of stairs, according to eyewitnesses.

The student had pleaded with the manager who was standing outside the club to stop the assault.

According to eyewitnesses the manager had then taken the boy to the car park at the rear of the club and directed the bouncers to continue with the assault.

It was also revealed that Kama Colombo, allegedly managed by a nephew of a top business magnate formerly involved in the Casino and Nightclub trade, did not possess a valid liquor license.

“They have closed down the club, and they did not possess a valid liquor license. These aspects will be looked into,” The Police said.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror Police spokesman SP Buddhika Siriwardana said bouncers of a night club or any other private security officer could not assault any individual.

“No one can take the law into their hands and no one could assault any individual unless it is within the parameters of self defence,” he said.

Earlier there were several reports of violence unleashed by bouncers of clubs with no action being taken against them due to the clubs being owned by influential businessmen, and companies employing bouncers also having equal clout.