CA fixes Petition to be supported on Feb. 15
Massacre of 27 inmates in Welikada prison
Court of Appeal on Tuesday fixed for support on February 15 for issuance of notice in respect of the Writ petition seeking an investigation into the alleged killing of 27 inmates of the Welikada Prison in December 2012 where it is alleged that army, STF, TID as well as the Prison Intelligence stormed and started shooting.
Bench comprised Justices P.pathman Surasena (President/ CA) and Shiran Gooneratne. Attorney General on October 17, 2017 assured that the investigation into the alleged killing of 27 inmates of the Welikada Prison in December 2012 would be conducted in a transparent manner and the progress report will be submitted.
Senior State Counsel Madhava Tennekoon appearing for the Attorney General also had informed Court there are inquiries conducted by teams of Special Task Force, Army and prison officers. Counsel K.s.ratnavale appeared for the Petitioner W.s.nandimal Silva who claims he was the direct eye witness to the incidents that happened on 9th and 10th November 2012. Petitioner cited Commissioner General of Prisons, CID Director, IGP, Minister of Prison Reforms, Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Hindu Religious Affairs and the Attorney General as Respondents.
He states the STF/TID had gained entry into the Welikada prison on December 9 and gone into “L” hall with the prison Intelligence unit and assaulted the prison inmates with the intention of provoking the prisoners. As the prisoners had not retaliated, they moved into the “Chapel Hall” where convicted prisoners were kept he states. At this stage the STF and prison intelligence surrounded the building and tear gas was directed to even close by cells, several inmates fell down unconscious. Other inmates were rounded up and assaulted. This was going on for few hours.
He states around midnight the STF/TID and Prison Intelligence stormed inside the prison and started shooting.the Petitioner who was in the “L Hall” saw a prisoner named T.h.lesely De Silva dead as a result of shooting. Petitioner and other prisoners got to know that, Jothipala, Kapila, Manjusri and Marlon were brought in from “Chapel Ward” (convicts) to the “M ward” and shot.
Screaming and shouting were heard from these prisoners and they were shot dead. TID and Intelligence units gave updates of what was happening with the purpose of intimidating the prisoners, he states.
The petitioner had seen an officer in yellow T-shirt whom he later got to know as Rangajeewa of former Narcotics Division of the Police with pistol in hand had asked for one Thushara alias Kalu Thushara.
The petitioner saw Thushara being dragged to the floor and being shot near the gate. At about 6.00 a.m. the petitioner and other prisoners saw Amila Malik Perera alias Konda Amila being taken in hand cuff and subsequently the petitioner got to know that Amila too had been killed.