Video: Noori villagers unravel 'reign of terror'

29 July 2013 03:20 am - 41 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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By Susitha R. Fernando, Hafeel Farisz and Darshana Sanjeewa in Deraniyagala

The villagers of Noori, Deraniyagala, showing strong protest against the incumbent Chief Minister of the Sabaragamuwa Province and senior Police top brass, alleged that Maheepala Herath together with the Police had continuously provided political patronage to the atrocities allegedly committed by former Deraniyagala PS Chairman Anil Champika Wijesinghe alias Atha Kota.

At a gathering of close to a thousand villagers, held for the first time since the murder of Estate Superintendent Nihal Perera, villagers showed strong protest and signed a petition urging the President, Mahinda Rajapaksa and the Secretary of Defence, Gotabaya Rajapaksa to take action against those responsible for the crimes that had allegedly taken place in the area for over a decade.

In their petition, the villagers had called for the establishment of a permanent Special Task Force camp in Noori, “stating that they no longer had faith in the Police.”

The meeting, which took place at the village school, had been attended by the Chief Priest of the temple and the Kovil, SSP for the Seethawaka Range, ASP Athulathmudali, and was organized by villagers in order to present evidence against Wijesinghe as well as to sign a petition against the atrocities allegedly committed by him. “He was given political patronage by Maheepala Herath, and the Police continued to turn a blind eye to the crimes that were committed. These people came and shot my parents and burnt my house down while I was pregnant three years ago and no action was taken,” Udeshika Sirikumara told the gathering.

Sources told Daily Mirror that Senior DIG Lalith Jayasinghe was allegedly instrumental in providing cover to the suspect involved in the murder and other crimes including the rape of schoolgirls.

However speaking at the event SSP Anuruddha Rupasinghe re-iterated that he had received instructions from the IGP and the Senior DIG Lalith Jayasinghe and to give relevant attention to the cases. “The IGP , senior DIG Lalith Jayasinghe and DIG Mahesh Perera have instructed me and given me all the support to proceed with the investigations,” he said

A series of speeches were made in the presence of the senior Police officials, with villagers stating repeatedly that the Police did not even entertain complaints made against the man they called, ‘Atha Kota’.

“They burnt my house in 2008 and I went to each and every Police station in the area, I wrote to every authority regarding what happened to me and in the end they came to shoot my son and his life was only saved because the Chief Priest of the temple

hid him,” U. Padmakumara, a farmer of the area alleged. He also complained that he had been arrested by the Police and remanded for nineteen days on false charges after he complained about the atrocities committed by the gang. “The Police worked hand in hand with these criminals and I was put in jail because I went and put a complaint against them,” he said.

The gathering applauded each person that got up to level allegations against the former Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman, when they stated the political patronage provided by the Chief Minister and the cover given by the Police were the main reason for the terror unleashed in the area.

Villagers told Daily Mirror that Wijesinghe and his gang had been provided state patronage previously by Deputy Minister H.R Mithrapala as well.

Making an aggressive speech Udeshika Sirikumara alleged that former OIC Thissa Gunathillake had also played a pivotal part in ensuring that the suspects were not arrested. “The Police never even took our complaints down,” she said.

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Comments - 41

Porky Pig Monday, 29 July 2013 06:23 AM

It was too late and little. Man a life was lost. We need a change in regime.

Bakathapas Monday, 29 July 2013 05:39 AM

Whether he is Chief minister or not MR should take stern action to protect these innocent people and ensure them safer life. Let these chief ministers go home. Now they are old enough to retire.

saradiyal Monday, 29 July 2013 05:47 AM

Good, at last people are taking to the streets. It's time that people take law to their hands, then only you can expect some action from these corrupt police and government officials.

Porky Pig Monday, 29 July 2013 05:52 AM

Once again it is women's power. Thanks you Madam Udeshika Sirikumarafor standing up to these brutal criminals which also includes the police. Well done. You need to lead the village in the future.

Senerath Monday, 29 July 2013 05:52 AM

Sure they will be targeted, sooner or later...we live in such a country where murders are safaguarded and the victim is repeatedly punished....

PRASANNAJIT Monday, 29 July 2013 05:53 AM

Govt try to show if Police powers are given to North Province it will be bad for the country. Just look around and see how the police powers are misused by these rogue politicos in the South.

hemantha Monday, 29 July 2013 05:56 AM

Saddest story is one of the lady villager who complained to the 119 after beaten by this government thugs was given the IGP telephone number & when she complained to that no, thugs came again & severely punished her.What a country we are living. All the religious leaders please come forward & do some thing before stopping cattle slaughter try to stop man slaughter.

Dulani Monday, 29 July 2013 06:01 AM

They are not officers, just "kiss-ass & save-ass" bumsuckers of the said politicos. If they have an ounce of self-respect, they should shoot these bastards.

Nodrog Monday, 29 July 2013 06:02 AM

So is it any wonder people have no respect for the police?

Hoona Monday, 29 July 2013 06:13 AM

"In a democracy, people get the government they deserve"

Upali Monday, 29 July 2013 06:21 AM

Who will listen to these innocent people ??? Who will deliver the justice to them??? who will punish these political thugs, committed numerous atrocities on these day to day people, with police protection.....??? WHO???

Mouth Taped Shut Not Monday, 29 July 2013 05:23 AM

The "winners" need only to unite, and then the whole nation will be winners. Honest and sincere leadership is needed.

PREM Monday, 29 July 2013 06:36 AM

All these will be forgotten when elections come, Don't worry

Shan Monday, 29 July 2013 06:41 AM

ok now.... who brought him to power?

Dinesh Monday, 29 July 2013 07:27 AM

2nd incident of the "anger" of the people. Moratuwa was one.

All it needs a spark at the correct time and place and Sri Lanka will be another Egypt.
When the brains doesn't function properly the whole body gets paralyzed.

DCOL Monday, 29 July 2013 07:29 AM

Wasn't there any opposition party politicians to bring this barbaric acts to newspapers and Parliament?
According to statistics 16,000 voters in Dareniyagala for the Opposition (35%). So no Opp. politicos tried to protect them too?

R Abel Monday, 29 July 2013 08:21 AM

Don't stop with Noori and D'gala. Go to every village and find out whether there are any more villages like this. Best People are the Budhist Monks and Church Fathers. Surely they can protect every village. Why not think of appointing a Village committee and bring this to the Media and further. Until Mr Nihal Perera was murdered no one knows such things are happening in SL.

suren Monday, 29 July 2013 08:23 AM

Salute our hero's in NOORI to have come out openly

Shashiranga Tuesday, 30 July 2013 07:14 PM

nvghfhf

OMG Wednesday, 31 July 2013 09:48 AM

Another case of rocking the cradle while pinching the baby.

Truth Friday, 02 August 2013 12:01 AM

It is all because of the Media that everything came to light and these fellows are trying to save their face now.

This thuggary culture created and not by anyone else. Every single crime is committed in this country are with the blessings.

Even yesterday people were beaten and one was dead on the orders of GR for asking Pure Drining Water. Every one who stand by these goons will have misery in thier lives sooner or later as there's one above watching all what is going on...

Fayad Monday, 29 July 2013 04:18 AM

Picture of the police officers says the story no need any explanation

PRASANNAJIT Monday, 29 July 2013 03:42 AM

At last the people are bold enough to come out against the system.

Noori Pissa Monday, 29 July 2013 03:47 AM

We are doing all this to show that there is god govenance and Democacy in the island as The Human Rights Sereatry is about to come and then we must also fool the Commomwealth Heads that he are Inc=vestigatinfg evry crime, . Those who make noise now will get their rewards after Novemebr. Wait and See.

sack Monday, 29 July 2013 03:58 AM

So given his impressive record we should give him police powers.

david Monday, 29 July 2013 04:04 AM

this is another mahintha sinthanaya

manthri Monday, 29 July 2013 04:04 AM

These same villagers will vote for the thugs again.

Peace Lover Monday, 29 July 2013 04:05 AM

If there is any unkown person caring for this country, We beg him to wipe out all local politicos except for a for a very negligible number terrorizing innocent peace loving people of this country

BuffaloaCitizen Monday, 29 July 2013 04:07 AM

Why appeal to Gota and MR, where they themselves are part of this culture and have promoted murders, arrogance, and impunity, fellows such as Mervyn, Duminda and Tangalle incident, teacher kneeling incidents are just few living proofs that are happening with the blessings from the very very top.

Eva Monday, 29 July 2013 04:11 AM

All these police buggers are also corrupt they are licking the politico's back sides. If everybody is like & comes forward we can throw these Polititions Out.

Eva Monday, 29 July 2013 04:13 AM

I think the Bribery Committee is also taking a blind eye to all these matters. They are also Corrupted.

No Hope Monday, 29 July 2013 03:42 AM

Chief Minister and his son are the major culprits and day time robbers of Sabaragamuwa province.
He came into power as a very ordinary person and he was a Co-operative shop manager of that time. lived in a small house near to Polgahawela. Now he's a leading billionaire in Sri Lnaka. Son educated( as according to his father) at a leading European university. But now doing nothing.(Jobless)
and He's in the selecting comity of SLFP PC candidates.
No need to blame him. Just to think.We can't expect what we expect. Where's our Bribery committee. to look after so called bribery and corruption.?????.

Melz Monday, 29 July 2013 04:18 AM

What a shining example, this system of a collective voice is the only way to rid ourselves of political scum that plagues our country..

Dalu Banda Monday, 29 July 2013 04:29 AM

Good lesson to the people who voted

Roshan Monday, 29 July 2013 04:35 AM

I feel very sorry for the villager, slowly and gradually the active villager will be wiped out by the police.

EDDY Monday, 29 July 2013 04:38 AM

H.E Mahinda Rajapakse, sir; I was a planter as well; during the 1989 insurrection, when all govt: institutions buckled & closed under the subversive threats, and the country was in cautious it was the plantation executives under SLSPC then, stood by the govt and did not heed the subversive threats and continued to work & make profits, sent loads of money to govt: coffers, as a result we lost 29 of our brother planters who paid the supreme sacrifice with their lives for defying the subversive elements! As our bold DS, your brother, Col Gotabaya Rajapakse came forward to save the day at Noorie & Deraniyagala area from the "Atha Kota" & his hoods reign of terror, it was Gen Ranjan Wijeratne, then MD who came to our rescue then(Former Planter himself), we are very grateful to GR, but please take very stern action against the Sabaragamuwa CM and all the crooked cops, who allowed this murderous Atha kota and his criminal gang a free reign to terrorize Deraniyagala.

jagathroshan Monday, 29 July 2013 04:39 AM

Story of noory never seems to be bad for thief minister mahipala and his robery gang ,mahi himself as the deputy secretory general of ruling party the SLFP must be proud of his record

Porky Pig Monday, 29 July 2013 04:49 AM

It it nice to see the villagers have come out in force. Just after the cold blooded murder of Mr. Nihal Perera by the government sponsored goons there was no villager to give evidence. Now the scene is changing. Mr. Nihal Perera was a very honest man and stood firm against injustice and corruption. He life was lost in vain. I bow my head in both Mr. Nihal Perera and the villagers.

mohamed asfar Monday, 29 July 2013 04:50 AM

we are a nation full of losers.

sarath wijekone Monday, 29 July 2013 04:53 AM

If this is the way of Mahinda Chintanya we need not it.We have to change this government.But our opposition UNP is worst.We have only JVP.Because of their past in 1987 people don't trust them.I think they don,t do the same mistake.

be fair Monday, 29 July 2013 05:10 AM

Wish that white vans wont do the rounds in the area

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Video: Noori villagers unravel 'reign of terror'

Comments - 41

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