CID records statement of Human Rights official [TamilNet, October 05, 2004 02:36 GMT]

Criminal Investigation Department of the Police recorded the statement of Mr.Ruwan Chandrasekara, Jaffna regional co-ordinator of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka when he was in HRCSL head office in Colombo regarding the alleged assault on him last week in the Jaffna police station by a group of policemen, HRCSL sources said.

Mr.Chandrasekara and his associate Mr.M.Feroz were assaulted when they had gone to Jaffna police station to inquire into a complaint that a Tamil youth had been taken into police custody and was being harassed.

Legal action is expected to be filed in Jaffna magistrate's court against errand police official shortly on the basis of the complaint made by Mr. Chandrasekara at the Jaffna police station following the assault, HRC sources said.

Meanwhile, members of public who visit Jaffna police station to make complaints regarding disputes are sent back by policemen to go to the Jaffna regional office of the HRCSL and get relief, civilian sources said.

Several policemen in Jaffna have been adopting this attitude towards members of public as retaliation, civil sources alleged.