Rathupaswala victims want bigwigs brought to

book

2017-08-16

Commemorating the past is great if it brings sweet memories, but not if it brings
dark moments like the Rathupaswala incident. The shooting at innocent civilians
in Rathupaswala took place on August 01, 2013. People have spent a four-year
wait awaiting justice.

The incident put a black mark on Sri Lankas history because it defamed the much
adored Sri Lankan Army. The protesting public was shot at and were injured.
Loved ones were lost, but a battle was won. When people in power do nothing to
solve the severe problems faced by the public, they themselves stand up against
the violation of their basic human rights. The legal proceedings regarding the
incident began in court after many years. Court proceedings have been slow.
The CID noticed the courts on August 9 that some evidence related to the
shooting scene had been destroyed
As many as 30 were injured. Some were disabled as a result of the
shooting
The Police, Divisional Secretariesand local politicians werent involved
insolving the issue
Army officers involved in the Rathupaswala incident in 2013 were arrested by the
CID and produced in Gampaha Magistrate Court on March 24, 2017. The hearing
continued till April 07 and the accused were remanded till the next hearing, which
took place on April 26. The case was taken up again on May 03 and May 17 and
the CID informed the courts to obtain the testimonies of the Judicial Medical
Officers (JMO) who conducted the postmortem of the deceased. On May 17 the
hearing was postponed to May 31. Meanwhile, the CID questioned the victims-
who were attacked- again and searched for remaining bullets from the scene of
shooting.
When people in power do nothing to solve the severe problems faced by the
public, they themselves stand up against the violation of their basic human
rights
The period of remand for Brigadier Anura Deshapriya Gunawardena and the three
others arrested were extended from June 14 to June 28 and then again to July 12
by the Chief Magistrate D.A Ruwan Pathirana at Gampaha Magistrate Court.
Brigadier Deshapriya was arrested on May 25 by the CID for ordering the shooting
of unarmed civilians who protested at Rathupaswala.
The CID noticed the courts on August 9 that some evidence related to the
shooting scene had been destroyed due to the neglect of then Gampaha Police
Commissioner Ranjith Masinghe. The next hearing is scheduled for August 23.
As those responsible didnt care to solve the water crisis, they (Villagers)
themselves took the initiative to obtain a solution

The weapons possessed by the three suspects

have matched the description of the bullets found at the scene of the crime. Its
questionable how only three soldiers were arrested when there were more than
200 armed security personnel engaged in the shooting. The two people shot dead
were students and they were identified as K.A.D. Akila Dinesh (17) and H.S.
Ravishan Perera (18). The other victim, 29-year-old Nilantha Pushpakumara, died
due to a blow on the head where his assailants had used a blunt weapon. As
many as 30 were injured. Some were disabled as a result of the shooting while
private and public property was also damaged.
The protest was held with the hope of obtaining a solution to the issue regarding
drinking water in the area. The villagers were protesting because a factory in the
area was releasing harmful chemical filled waste-water into paddy fields. The
fields- situated in the proximity of the factory premises- became unsafe for
agriculture. The villagers experienced severe problems regarding drinking water.
This happened because the PH levels in the water exceeded the specified healthy
limit. The Police, Divisional Secretaries and local politicians werent involved in
solving the issue.
As those responsible didnt care to solve the water crisis, they (Villagers)
themselves took the initiative to obtain a solution. Residents of Rathupaswala,
Weliweriya, Nedungamuwa and those living in adjoining villagers held peaceful
protests where over 5000 protesters participated. The protests continued until
they were attacked by the army troops-commanded by Brigadier Deshapriya
Gunawardena-on August 01. The villagers, who ran for their lives, were chased,
attacked and fired at. Many were injured. The remanded security personnel were
accused of murder, attempting murder and severely injuring people according to
sentences 300 and 296 of the Sri Lankan Penal Code.

I tried to stop the shooting -

Melan Perera Retired Army sergeant in Weliweriya
I was given seven hundred and fifty thousand rupees on April 08, 2016 as
compensation. But nobody can undo the things that happened to me and others. I
cant accuse the army or the police even though its true that I acted on behalf of
the villagers in their struggle during the incident. They gave me what they
promised. The former Government gave one million rupees for every dead person
and balanced it somehow, he said.
Many people are afraid to speak out. I am a former Army Sergeant and I tried to
stop the shooting during the incident. I turned away some soldiers advising
them not to shoot
Many people are afraid to speak out. I am a former Army Sergeant and I tried to
stop the shooting during the incident. I turned away some soldiers advising them
not to shoot. Some of them shot me too. Unfortunately, the bullet meant to hit
my knee struck my right hip bone because I bent down to protect myself. While I
was in hospital for four months my three wheeler was seized by the leasing
company. Anyway, I had to mortgage my wifes jewellery to save it. And after that
the monies I received as compensation were used to bail out the my guarantors
who were jailed.
I am now 48 years old and they have recommended a hip plate that can be used
for a period of 15 years. But I am unable to replace it in the future due to the
financial state I am in,he said.
An attacked family tells their tale
Preethika Nilanthi, Rohan Patrick and their three sons who were in the thick of
things at Weliweriya

We were told to request for compensation, but

we were unable to do so because we didnt have medical reports to prove the
damages to us during the attack carried out by the army inside the church. My
husband had a severe headache for around three months due to blows to his
head with a baton. He couldnt work for some time. Meanwhile, we survived with
our sisters help. My sons right arm was cracked in three places because he tried
to save his younger brother, aged 9. Our three sons and two sisters were also
there and all of us were attacked.

There were over 70 armed men engaged in the shooting at the church. But why
are they punishing only four of them? We request justice from the responsible
people to punish the guilty, Prithika and her husband opined.
There were over 70 armed men engaged in the shooting at the church. But why
are they punishing only four of them? We request justice from the responsible
people to punish the guilty, Prithika and her husband opined
When the Daily Mirror checked the houses of the two students who died in the
attack, it seemed that many people were attacked had left the area.

Rathupaswala villagers were first fighting for their right to have clean water and
now they are waiting for justice. It seems they will have to wait a lifetime.
CID Special Branch OIC Chief Inspector Ranjith Munasinghe and Sub Inspector
Upali Bandara are carrying out investigations following instructions of ASP B.S.
Thissera, Deputy Director SSP Shani Abeysekera, under the guidance of CID
Director Sudath Nagahamulla and the DIG Ravi Senevirathna.

Punish all who participated in the shooting and those who ordered the
shooting
- Suresh Perera Chief organizer of Siyane Environment Conservation Association
A prominent individual among the protests who initiated the protests from the
beginning, Suresh Perera, emphasized on the present situation regarding the
supply of water to the villagers. The Water Board doesnt provide enough water
for everybody to fulfil their needs. Even the Water Board itself has admitted that
28 areas coming under the purview of the Grama Niladhari Administration have
been destroyed due to the water being polluted.

Colonel Solangarachchi first began attacking

with a baton and soon the shooting followed. It wasnt just one shot, complete
magazines were used to shoot at poor civilians who were requesting for pure
water. Three people died and a lot more were injured. The shooting continued till
midnight. The helpless people, who ran for mercy to the church, were also
attacked, he said.

The Water Board doesnt provide enough water for everybody to fulfill their
needs. Even the Water Board itself has admitted that 28 areas coming under the
purview of the Grama Niladhari Administration have been destroyed due to the
water being polluted.

Its said that the villagers had several dialogues with Gotabaya Rajapaksa to solve
the problem. However a political bigwig didnt want Rajapaksa to solve the issue
fearing he will gain political mileage. Brigadier Deshapriya Gunawardena came
here without a request from anybody and his sole purpose was to attack people.
He was there from the beginning. The Geneva reports have given directions to
punish those guilty. But the government hasnt punished them yet.

Even the Central Environment Authority doesnt admit that the pollution of
water was caused by this. They are bound to find out what happened here and
provide solutions. Individuals holding high positions in government institutions
are responsible for the destruction that takes place in the country.

The nitrate level recorded in the water is more than 197%, when the permitted
amount is 10%. The CEA should find out how this happened.

The factory was completely shifted by February 2014. We were offered

compensation on April 08, 2016. We think we were compensated fairly, Suresh
noted.

We request the authorities to punish the persons who ordered the shooting to
the ones involved in the shooting to ensure that this kind of thing doesnt happen
again. Its now more than three years. Its only now that they have remanded the
shooters, he said.
Posted by Thavam