Rape And Also Be Damned

 Monday, July 09, 2012

By Niranjala Ariyawansha in Tangalle
Pictures by Pavithra Jovan De Mello

Thushari - the victim, Parents: K. P. Malani (Babynona) and W. Somasiri (Thilake), Namal Guest House room, The home of the 13-year old child raped in Tangalle, Textile shop belonging to Gallahevage Harshana Kamalaruvan and Namal Guest House

It was the fourth of July. Pavithra and I were at the Women and Children’s Bureau of the Tangalle Police, by 9am. The whole division was bustling with activity. We found out that four more suspects had been arrested in the morning, in connection with the rape of a school girl. The school girl had been waylaid and held for six days… and raped. The Officer in Charge of the Bureau, Sriyani and her team were diligently going about their investigation. There was a look of determination on their faces. We hung back to catch a glimpse of the four suspects.
We sensed someone next to us.  He turned out to be the father of one suspect arrested that morning. “Aney Madam, my son is an innocent kid. It is because of his association with bad friends that he has got entangled in this,” he wailed. There were many others who had gathered out of curiosity. “To every father and mother their sons and daughters are innocent. It’s others’ children who do wrong. If so, who raped this child?’’ queried one of them.
We caught a glimpse of the suspects. They were well clad. There was not a trace of remorse in their demeanor. They were being held on a serious charge of rape. Of a minor at that. A crime that was reported islandwide and one which caused massive public interest. Yet the suspects moved about with a casual air. No, it was more like disdain. We wondered if they realised the gravity of what they were facing or indeed if they cared tuppence.
We boast of our 2500 year ancient history. Men rape women and children with gay abandon. Political ‘clout’ and money is used to evade the deserved punishment. That too is part of our history which is not spoken of.
Thushari, is 13 years and 8 months old. She was in the 9th grade at the Narawalpita Maha Vidyalaya, situated in Hakmana, near Matara. Her father Tilake, a mason, and mother Baby Nona who wrapped beedi leaves have three daughters and a son.  The eldest girl Anusha 16, was in the 11th grade of Narawalpita Maha Vidyalaya. The son too attends the same school and was in the 7th grade. The youngest daughter was only three-and-a-half years with Thushari being the second amongst the siblings.

List of Suspects
1.    Shantha Senarath Wanigasinghe, Ambalanthota.

2.    Gunawardanage Chinthaka,  Tangalle.

3.    Jayantha Wanigasinge, Tangalle.

4.    Dimuthu Chadeepa Muthukumarana,  Ranna. (Driver of the Min.Mahinda Amaraweera)

5.    Lalith Wanigasinge, Tangalle.

6.    Gallahevage Harshana Kamalaruvan, (married with 2 children. Owner of the Ruwan textiles, Tangalle)

7.    Sujith Rohan Wanigasighe,  Tangalle.

8.    Basnayakage Darshana Thilan Karunasinghe, Rambukkana.

9.    Pipun Asanka Amadoru,  Tangalle.

10.    Priyantha Wijethunge,  Tangalle.

11.    Kankanam Aarachchige Chandana, Tangalle.
12.    Abeywickrema kankanamge Udara Lakshitha,  Walasmulla.

13.    Iroshana Sanjeeva Madugodage,  Tangalle.

14.    Supun Widuranga Andrahannadige,  Seenimodara.

15.    Palatupana Arachchige Rasika Pradeep(Davins Rasika) Ranna.

16.    Warnakulasooriya Patabandige Janaka Chaminda, Tangalle.

17.    Polwatta Galappaththige Pradeep Kumara(Selle Podi), Beliatta. Sella Katharagama.

18.    Yohan Chamika Amarasinghe, (Habour worker),  Tangalle.

19.    Balapitiya Liyanage Anjana Kasun Ruvan, Tangalle (married with 1 child, member of the Municipal Council)

20.    Pitadoova Gamage Nadeesha Sampath Lankathilaka, Tangalle.   

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