I’m Ashamed, We Torture Citizens Of Our Own Country
By Eran Wickramaratne -December 16, 2013
Eran Wickramaratne MP
Today, I am taking the short time allocated to me, to speak on the protection of the lives of those who are arrested by the Police. We all know of the incident in Kamburupitiya wherein a police officer and his wife were murdered. Three were arrested as suspects. Now the three of them are dead. They died prior to being convicted of the crime committed. I must state that until the Court condemns a person as guilty, the Police and the Government have the responsibility to protect those who are arrested and treat them as innocent.
We are aware that torture and inhuman treatment generally occur. This is something that not only happens in our country but has been happening throughout history. When Kautilya wrote the Arthasastra in 350 B.C. he referred to torture. Our Hindu devotees know that the ‘vedas’ refer to various types of torture. From history we see that when king Ashoka embraced Buddhism, he legally abolished torture. Torture was prevalent in Europe. However, around 150 – 200 years ago, torture was abolished through legal means.
Today, in Europe if even one man is found to have been tortured, it could well lead to the overthrow of a Government. Why? Because people in those countries, have learnt to despise torture. However, in Asian countries, including Sri Lanka, we hear stories of some form of torture, in one police station or the other, on a daily basis. Today, if you are on the internet, you would come across many torture victims, speaking about their ordeals. Not only on the web, but you can find many publications on such ordeals. There was a recent publication with stories of about 400 torture victims speaking about their experience.
(The Hon. Alhaj A.H.M. Azwer)
What do you say about Guantanamo detention camp? Have you seen it in the website?
(The Hon. Eran Wickramaratne)
Please sit down. This, is not an issue concerning party politics. Please do not disturb what’s being said here.
