Witness who photographed Police brutality Abducted

by Our Correspondent in Colombo

(August 17, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Today a witness who came to Matugama courts was abducted by the police. Haduwamirindage Nishantha, A young man had earlier taken a photograph of police brutality by some officers of Welipenna police. On 8th August a group of policemen from Welipenna police arrested a person named H.S. Ratnasiri Fernando and one of the officers attacked the suspect with a knife. This incident was photographed by Nishantha through his mobile phone.

This ptoto was publicized later and was even shown in a TV Channel. Nishantha was threatened by the police and they demanded the original photo. Complaints have been made about these threats Today when Ratnasiri was brought to court, Nishantha went to the Matugama court as he was witness.

He was abducted by the police and is missing. Complaints have been made to the police authorities about this abduction. His relatives and friends fear that Nishantha can be killed or otherwise seriously harmed to prevent him from giving evidence.