Those close to the family of the Former Director of the CID, SSP Shani Abeysekara said his family has not been informed of his health condition by the authorities. According to them, the family has not been made aware of any details pertaining to his condition and the surgical operation carried out on him. “They have not been told even what type of operation he underwent,” a confidant of the family told Lankasara. Neither has his family been allowed to visit him in hospital.
Abeysekara is currently remanded over allegations that he had falsified evidence in a case. He has been repeatedly denied bail by the courts. Abeysekara is hailed as one of the best investigators produced by the Sri Lanka Police. Former CID sub-inspector RSM Mendis arrested and accused along with Abeysekara claimed before courts that CCD had pressured him to frame Abeysekara.
Abeysekara had undergone emergency cardiac surgery this week. However, his family was denied the opportunity to visit him. It was reported that despite needing a second cardiac surgery a top official in the government had ordered medical officers to immediately discharge him from Colombo National Hospital and send him back to prison.
Earlier he had contracted Covid and it was reported that he was directed to treatment only after the Minister of Health Pavithra Wanniarachchi intervened.
Former Member of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, Ambika Sathkunanathan noted on Twitter that the UN Human Rights Commission, African Commission on HPR, International American Court of Human Rights, European Court of Human Rights have all found that denial of free access to medical treatment in detention can constitute torture/ill-treatment.
“Provision of health care for prisoners is a State responsibility. Prisoners should enjoy the same standards of health care in the community, & have access to necessary health-care free of charge without discrimination on grounds of their legal status”.
