A nemesis for justice?

Monday, 21 January 2013 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Kahawatte is a place that is known for all the wrong reasons. As the police grapple with the problem of finding justice for over 15 people murdered in this now infamous area, it outlines the challenges for the rule of law in the rest of the country as well.

As killings and abductions continue in the Kahawatte area of the Ratnapura district, a sociological survey conducted in the area has prompted the transfer of 31 policemen and officers out of the area on Monday, with more to follow.

It was reported over the weekend that the survey revealed that 30% of the Kahawatte area residents distrust the police, while 47% more opted to remain silent for fear of criminals interfering with their lives, as they are in cahoots with the police officers.

The Defence Ministry and the Sri Jayawardenapura University had conducted a survey on the sociological factors affecting current criminal pattern (with special reference to the Kahawatte police area), under the guidance of Professor Mayura Samarakoon of the Sociology Department of Sri Jayawardenapura University.

As the survey findings were revealed, the second abduction within three weeks was reported. G. Wickramasinghe, a murder suspect in the U. Ariyawathi case, was abducted last Tuesday, from his house in Nilagama, Kahawatte.

His family complained to the police on 16 January, that an armed group, apparently security personnel, abducted the murder suspect. He had been released along with three other suspects for lack evidence, after being in remand for 14 months. One of the suspects who was released with him was killed in December last year.

The first abduction was two weeks ago, that of Sarath Nandana, 32, prime suspect in the first double murder which took place at the beginning of 2012. At the time of his abduction, he was residing with his sister-in-law in Weliweriya, Gampaha.

He was out on bail, after being in jail for eight months, and court had ordered him to reside 100 km away from the Kahawatte region. The family had complained to the police that an armed group had abducted the former suspect. They also claim that the police have not taken any action to locate him.

This together with the previous murders has gripped this once sleepy town in a miasma of fear. Murders, abductions, political interference and drug trade take place when there is no law. Citizens of Kahawatte and by extension, the rest of Sri Lanka, are in a sorry state, for what happens here can be replicated elsewhere. In fact it’s just a matter of time before another Kelaniya or Kahawatte pops up on the headline radar. What will it take for the authorities to act in the best interests of justice?

Many top Government officials pay lip service to the independence of the Police and Rule of Law till they are blue in the face but the actions prove otherwise. Vehement public protests seem to be the only hope that the Kahawatte murder victims have for justice. This is in fact how they have, on more than one occasion, kept a top police official from being transferred.

It is inexplicable why neither the Police Commission nor Government legislators have worked to keep a strong and independent police force in Kahawatte so that people around the country can restore their faith in a deeply flawed legal system.