Police Commission Must Investigate Riot Police Attack On Students: AHRC

October 30, 2015 

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has today condemned the police brutal attack on studentswho were engaged in a protest march organised by the Inter Student Collective for the Protection of Higher National Diploma in Accountancy (HNDA).

Prof. Siri Hettige – Chairman of the Police Commission

Issuing a statement the AHRC said; “Now that the National Human Rights Commission and the National Police Commission, have been appointed, it is their duty to conduct a thorough inquiry into this particular incident and take appropriate action against those who have violated the law.”

“What is even more important is, to lay down rules relating to the engagement of Riot Police, with the view to stop the kind of conduct of the Riot Police, as was witnessed during the previous regime.” the AHRC further said.

We publish below the statement in full;

The Asian Human Rights Commission is seriously concerned about the attack by the on the students of Inter Student Collective for the Protection of the Higher National Diploma in Accountancy (HNDA), who have gathered to present a petition to the Minister of Higher Education at the University Grants Commission, in Colombo yesterday, 29th October 2015.

According to the spokesperson for the Students Collective, a group of around 500 students had gathered at the University Grants Commission, at Ward Place in Colombo and have requested a meeting with the Minster of Higher Education Lakshman Kiriella to present a Petition and to discuss about the status of the Diploma Course that they have been following. Initially, they were promised a meeting with the Minister of Higher Education but within minutes, they were asked to disperse, by a group of officer from The Riot Police who have used water cannons with tear gas to disperse the students. The students complained that even after they dispersed the riot police followed them and continued to brutally assault them.

A large number of photographs have appeared in the media that show the manner in which, these students have been dispersed and also showing the police attacking some students. The student leaders also complained that 39 students have been taken away by the riot police, and their whereabouts are not known. Despite of repeated inquiries as to the whereabouts of these students, their families have not been able to obtain any information.

According to information available so far, the following questions arise, regarding this incident;

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