The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) says in a statement that on August 18, 2008, senior police officers from the Ratnapura Police Station had allegedly assaulted police officers from another station while both parties were traveling on the same road.

The assaulted officers were taken to the Ratnapura police station where they were assaulted again. Afterwards, they were taken to a private nursing home where a false medical report was compiled which was later submitted to the courts. In the meantime, the officers assaulted were dismissed from the police service, the Hong Kong based human rights watchdog claimed.

Sarath Kumara, a police driver attached to Angunukolapelessa Police Station was returning after completing his tour of duty at the Esala Perahera in Kandy. He left Kandy at about 9:30 am, driving along the Ratnapura Embilipitiya road in Police Cab License No. WP LF 0694. In the cab were the following persons: Police Sergeant Mrs. Hemantha of Hungama Police and her husband Police Constable (PC) 28999 Wijesekara of Ambalantota Police and his 10-year-old son and PC 60787 Malinda, PC 60651 Nalaka and PC 60885 Bogahawatte from Ambalantota Police, the statement said.

"Enroute at Hiddallana, Ratnapura, Sarath overtook another police cab. This police cab then over took Saratha’s cab. Again Sarath overtook it and again Sarath was overtaken. Then the other cab blew his horn and signaled for Sarath to stop his vehicle. Sarath stopped. It was about 4 pm".

A Head Quarters Inspector (HQI), a Police Inspector, a Police Sergeant, and a Police constable alighted from the other cab and came up to Sarath’s cab. They removed the key from the ignition, opened the door, pulled Sarath out and started to assault him, all the while reprimanding him harshly using foul language. All of the four officers joined in the assault which took place on the main road and witnessed by ordinary civilian onlookers.  Sarath was given no opportunity to ask the reason for this assault, the AHRC statement charged.

The HQI assaulted PC Nalaka also who was in Sarath’s cab. After that they took Sarath and the others to the Ratnapura Police Station. There, they were again assaulted, this time in front of other police officers. The Inspector held Sarath by the neck and pushed him into a police cell, knowing full well that Sarath and Nalaka were police officers. The other police officers who traveled in Sarath’s cab saw all this and submitted written statements about the incident, it said.

After about an hour and a half, the Inspector who assaulted Sarath took him and Nalaka  in his cab to a private nursing home. He told them to stay outside and went inside to meet a doctor who is a DMO. After about five minutes, he came back and told them to go inside and see the doctor. The doctor asked Sarath whether or not he was an alcoholic. He told the doctor he had not taken any alcohol. He also told him that they had been assaulted by the police. The doctor however informed him that there were no visible signs of injuries of the assault on them. At this Sarath informed him that he was experiencing severe pain in his ear, neck, head and back where he had been beaten. Taking no notice, the doctor got Sarath to sign a document. Sarath and Nalaka having no power   over this situation were helpless and signed the document, not being informed what the document contained, AHRC alleged.

"At about 9 pm on the same day, the Ratnapura Police made an entry in the police book, saying that Sarath and Nalaka were brutally assaulted and got Sarath to sign it. He was then asked to report to the court on 25 August 2008. At about 11 pm they were bailed out by Police Woman Sergeant 1664 Mrs. Hemantha who signed for the bail. That night Sarath’s group stayed over at the home of one of his friend’s and continued their journey the following morning at about 5 am".

Back home Sarath made a statement regarding the incident at the Kuttigala Police Station where Police Sergeant 12477 Wilson recorded it and gave a judicial medical form to the doctor to fill out. At the Kuttigala District Hospital, Sarath received medical treatment for four days. According to the medical report issued, there was swelling around the neck, the lower back and the sternum. It also noted that a blunt weapon had been used to beat Sarath. On August 22, Sarath was discharged from the hospital, the statement said.

On August 23, when Sarath and Nalaka reported to Angunukolapelessa Police Station, they were informed that their services in the police force had been terminated. On verbal instructions from the officer- in -charge they entered everything regarding the incident in the Police log book, AHRC said.

"Sarath was charged with drunk driving, negligent driving, dangerous driving and obstruction of other vehicles (Case No. 2093).  At the court, he also made known that he was beaten by the HQI".