Murderers scot free even one month after Bharatha’s killing ! Widow seeks legal action via HRC

(Lanka-e-News-09Nov.2011, 6.30PM) Sumana Premachandra , the grieving widow of late Bharatha Lakshman has lost faith in the investigations conducted by the authorities as the Govt. has so far failed to arrest Duminda Silva or his group who were along with him when Duminda Silva killed Bharatha Lakshman . It is one month complete today ,since Bharatha was murdered in cold blood in broad daylight right before the eyes of high ranking police officers and in the public highway allegedly by Duminda Silva as stated by eye witnesses who gave evidence in court. Sumana Premachandra who is disillusioned , dismayed and disappointed with the on going investigations filed legal action today (08) at the Human rights Commission (HRC) as a last resort.

The full text of the complaint is published hereunder :

Sumana Premachandra
23/A
Summit Flats
Jawatte Road ,
Colombo 05
2011-11-08

Hon. President and Commissioners ,
Sri Lanka Human rights Commission,
Barnes place
Colombo 07


Dear President and Commissioners,

Regarding failure to conduct a proper inquiry into the murder of Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra ,the Presidential advisor on workers unions .

My husband Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra was shot and killed on 2011-10-08 at Mulleriyawa district.

On the day the murder was committed , elections were being held for the selection of candidates for the Kolonnawa and Mulleriyawa district local bodies. My late husband was engaged in activities on that day looking into the needs and requirements of the candidates who were contesting the elections under the UPFA ticket.

On that day between 3.00 and 3.30 p.m , my husband was shot in the Mulleriyawa district ,Himbutana lane by the defense Ministry monitoring M P Duminda Silva. I received this information, and that my husband died following the shooting.

I declare that my husband was elected as a Colombo district M P at the Parliamentary elections held in 1994 ,a nd until his death he was engaged in politics. Besides , he was the SLFP Organizer for the Borella electorate , and prior to that he was the SL Mahajana party Organizer for Kollonawa..My husband was born and bred in Kollonawa district . As a politician he had done yeoman service to the people of the Kolonnawa district . In recognition of this the SLFP party members wished that he shall be their Organizer for Kolonnawa. But , because Duminda Silva who came from the UNP was given priority over Bharatha and since Duminda was appointed , not only the SLFP party members of Kolonnawa , but even the people without party affiliations frowned on this action , and opposed it.

Despite this non appointment as the Organizer , my husband as a politician of that district enjoyed tremendous popularity among the people.

In the circumstances , Duminda Silva M P harbored a grudge against my husband , and on many occasions he had attempted to do harm to my husband and his life. Citing these reasons , my husband has informed the individuals and Institutions noted below urging security beef up for him


1.Ministeral security division
2.The IGP
I aver hereby , based on information received by me , the reasons leading to the shooting of my husband were as follows :
The above mentioned Duminda Silva M P and his group had attacked the wife and mother of former Mulleriyawa district local Body Chairman Prasanga Solangaarachi who was the UPFA candidate contesting the Mulleriyawa district local body election this time.. Prasanaga Solangaarachi has then communicated this assault o my husband and appealed to him to save them . My husband has then proceeded to the venue of the incident. When my husband was on his way to that place , Duminda Silva and his group have appeared before my husband and shot him.
I further aver …
a.At the time of this shooting incident, there was a large crowd around , and many have stated that they have seen the incident with their own eyes. Yet , the CID which is investigating this murder had still failed to take steps to take into custody the real suspect Duminda Silva or those in the group who were with him.

a. Failure to forward information to courts on R Duminda Silva’s criminal liability and accountability
b. .Because the officers who are conducting the investigations pertaining to this murder have been transferred and withdrawn from the inquiring process , the whole investigative process is subject to grave doubts.
c..The witnesses are being consistently threatened and they have no security.
d. As our family is facing threats and our safety is at stake , intensified security is needed for us.

In the circumstances , I most humbly request the following :

1. That the CID is given instructions that a fair and impartial investigation is conducted into this murder.
2. Issue a directive to the CID to arrest prime suspect Duminda Silva , and his security personnel in regard to this murder .
3. Issue an order to the IGP to take appropriate measures to provide the necessary security to my family members.
4. The CID by not conducting proper investigation pertaining to the murder of my husband has violated
section 12 (1) of the constitution which provides for the protection of my fundamental rights under the laws ordinarily. Hence I humbly request court to issue an order declaring that my rights have been indeed violated

Respondents :

The IGP
Director , CID
OIC , of the CID
OIC ,Mulleriyawa police stationThe petitioner