Victim who was assaulted by a Senior DIG in Kiriella goes to Supreme Court

The victim who was allegedly assaulted by a group of police officers including Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police Ranmal Kodituwakku recently in Kiriella has filed a Fundamental Rights petition in Supreme Court.

The victim Mishara Ranasinghe, a resident of Rajagiriya is seeking an order directing the Attorney General to institute action against five police officers including Senior DIG for their illegal conduct under and in terms of the Penal Code and Torture Act.

The petitioner is further seeking a declaration that respondents are unfit to hold office as officers of the Sri Lanka Police force.
 
Following a video circulated on social media that the Senior DIG in charge of the Sabaragamuwa Province was involved in an assault on a civilian, the Police Headquarters had announced that SDIG Kodituwakku has been transferred as Senior DIG of the Medical Services and Welfare Divisions.

The petitioner said he was grossly assaulted, physically, and sexually tortured and harassed by SDIG Ranmal Kodituwakku, and two other police officers around 2pm on 25th October 2021 while his client was travelling from Ratnapura towards Panadura.

The petitioner is also seeking a declaration that the Fundamental Rights of the Petitioner guaranteed by Article 11, Article 12(1), Article 13(1)(2) and Article 14(1)(h)of the
Constitution have been violated by the respondents.

The petitioner is further seeking an Interim Order directing that SDIG Ranmal Kodituwakku be subjected to a psychological
analysis by a panel of Consultant Psychiatrists and a report to be forwarded to Supreme Court.
The petitioner cited SDIG Ranmal Kodituwakku, Acting OIC of Kiriella Dissanayaka, OIC of Ayagama Police Station Indika Milan, police chief Chandana Wickremaratne, Attorney General and several others as respondents.

This petition has been filed through the lawyers of Neelakandan and Neelakandan law firm.(Lakmal Sooriyagoda)