Indict DIG Vass for abduction and assault

By Stanley Samarasinghe-2013-06-22
A.R.D. Nipuna Danushka and his mother, R. Gnanalatha Ramanayaka, filed a Writ Application in the Court of Appeal yesterday requesting to serve a Writ of Mandamus on the Inspector General of Police to take steps to indict or charge interdicted Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Vass Gunawardena, for abduction and unlawful confinement of Nipuna on 4 August 2009.

The Petitioners have cited the Attorney General, Vass Gunawardena, IGP N.K. Illangakoon and Officer-in-Charge of the Athurugiriya Police Station, S.D.K.K. Senanayaka, as Respondents.

In their petition, the petitioners state on 4 August 2009, Ravindu Gunawardena, son of Vass Gunawardena abducted Nipuna, along with some other police officers, and assaulted and tortured him.The incident occurred when Vass Gunawardena was the Director of the Colombo Crimes Division and Nipuna and Ravindu were students of the Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology of Malabe, the Petitioners stated.

They also stated, the assailant stripped off Nipuna’s clothes, photographed him, and trampled on his head, beating him severely with wooden poles on his arms, shoulders and ribs.

Nipuna was hospitalized for approximately two weeks.
In the meantime, Nipuna has already filed a Fundamental Rights application in the Supreme Court.
The Court has granted leave to proceed in the FR application bearing number 661/2009, the Petitioners stated. The Petitioners specifically stated the said acts of torture were committed by the suspects mentioned in case No. 4577, under the direction and control of DIG Vass Gunawardena.

The Petitioners also stated DIG Anura Senanayake, making representations on 31 August 2009, on the directive of the Kaduwela Magistrate, said there was no reason to frame charges against Vass Gunawardena and continued without him as an accused.

Therefore, the Petitioners requested the Court to direct the Respondents to call for the records bearing number 4577 and issue Writ of Mandamus compelling the Respondents to take steps to indict or charge Vass Gunawardena.
When this matter came up before a Bench comprising President of the Court of Appeal, Justice S. Skandarajah and Justice Malani Gunaratna, Counsel for Petitioners J.C. Weliamuna sought permission to support the case on 4 July and the Court allowed it.

AG sues 18 ex-MPs for not settling bill

FRIDAY, 21 JUNE 20

The Nugegoda District Judge today issued summons on 18 former MPs who had not paid rent and settled electricity and water bills at the MPs’ quarters in Madiwela.

Following action filed by the Attorney General, District Judge Namal Bandara Balalle issued summons on the former MPs who had not settled their dues from December 2001 to February 2004. The AG had sued the MPs individually and sought orders from court to recover the dues.

Accordingly the court issued summons on former MPs Ven. Baddegama Samitha Thero, Mahipala Herath, D. M. Bandaranayake, Rasa Kuganeshwaran, Sanjeewa Bandara Kaviratne, Siri Andrahannadi, Suresh Sathasiwam, Chandana Kattriarachchi, Thilina Bandara Tennakone, Pathirage Don Abeyratne, Mohamed Abdul Maharoof, Mahideen Bawa Abdul Aziz, Upali Samaraweera, Justin Galappaththi, Lucky Jayawardena, Thambi Mohamed, Mohamed Abdul Mohamed Maharoof and Gnana Muttu Krishnapille.

The court issued summons returnable on July 16. State Counsel Sumedha Jayaweera Bandara appeared for the AG. (Patrick Marcus)