by Himangi Jayasundere
Three cases of complaints relating to the inaction and manipulation of public servants by Police officers during the last general elections are to be referred to the Human Rights Commission, a spokesman for the Institute of Human Rights (IHR) Sudarshan Gunawardena said yesterday.

The IHR, which consists a group of lawyers volunteered to provide free legal assistance to public servants who were victimised while performing their duties during the last elections.

The IHR yesterday said that the largest number of complaints received by them, related to inaction and manipulation of public servants by Police officers. He said that about 35 out of the total number of 52 complaints received so far since the General Election on October 10, related to complaints against Police officers, who failed to perform their duty when confronted with complaints of election malpractice. Following drafted letters prepared by lawyers of the IHR project that have been sent to relevant authorities, "the police are now taking more positive action and are investigating into the incidents" he said.

According to Mr.Gunawardene letters have been drafted on account of three cases and the complainants will refer their complaints to the Human Rights Commission.

The IHR extended it’s date for receiving complaints from October 31 to December 31, last month.

Mr.Gunawardena said that about 13 cases had the possibility of being taken to court. However the complainants failed to return with the relevant documents and the result has been negative so far.

The programme has also received several complaints from public servants on imminent victimisation, due to refusal to comply with orders by politicians to provide resources such as fuel and vehicles for their election campaigs. He said that they have informed such complainants that if they face further problems, the IHR will assist them in taking the necessary steps. The immediate action that could be taken in such cases is to write to the relevant authority and inform them that legal action would be taken if such harassment continues.

Mr. Gunawardene said that about ten complaints have been against heads of department, who deprived employers from casting their postal vote, which resulted in their inability to perform election duty.

He said in most cases the relevant authorities have been sent letters drafted by lawyers of IHR, informing them of the malpractice and vicitimisation that has occurred.