Boss sexually harasses female Army legal officers!

Thursday, 22 January 2015 

Head of the Army’s legal directorate Brig. R.P. Rajapathirana has sexually harassed female legal officers under him when granting promotions and transfers, according to information received by Lanka News Web.

The inaction and silence of Army chief Lt. Gen. Daya Ratnayake has helped the brigadier to carry out his harassments. Those who fulfil his carnal needs have been given special privileges, although a majority of female officers are doing their utmost to escape from him.

Most prominent among those harassed is Capt. H.C.S. de Soyza Siriwardena. Joining the Army’s legal directorate on 20 July 2012, she is now serving at the Gemunu Watch in Kuruwita, Ratnapura. In the first week of July 2014, Rajapathirana had summoned her to his room and told her that the legal officer at Mullaitivu camp has requested a transfer, and said, “Since you have been in Colombo for a considerable period, you will have to be posted to Mullaitivu.” Shedding tears, she described her personal hardships and sought six months. Getting up from his seat, the brigadier had come to her and said, “That cannot be done for free. We should be given a chance,” and kissed her by force. The female officer pushed him aside and fled from the room. Angered by that, Brig. Rajapathirana had reprimanded her and transferred her to the Kuruwita camp. Then, he called the commanding officer of the camp and told him to harass her as much as he can, saying she has been given a punishment transfer (when we telephoned Capt. Siriwardena to verify that, she got frightened and disconnected the line).

At 3.00 pm on 14 July 2014, the Army commander summoned all legal officers for a meeting, but before that, around noon on that day, Brig. Rajapathirana called a meting and openely threatened all legal officers that “they should be prepared to resign and go home” if they made any complaints to the Army commander regarding activities of the legal directorate. Then, turning to Capt. Siriwardena, he uttered for all to hear, “I am a master f----r. Army commander also knows that. You can report to anybody. I am not scared.”

The next to fall victim to this womanizer is Capt. H.W. Ruvini Vaijayanthika, who joined the Army on 30 October 2010. The mother of one from Ratmalana is the legal officer at the Kotelawala defence academy. At 11.00 am on 14 July 2014, Rajapathirana summoned her to his room and told her that the KDA has sought senior officers and that the legal officer in Kilinochchi has asked for a transfer. He said, therefore, she has to be sent to Kilinochchi. “I kept you at KDA because it is close to your home. But, I cannot do it any longer. I will have to send you to Kilinochchi.” Mentioning her infant child, Capt. Vaijayanthika has started crying. Brig. Rajapathirana has gone near her, and while saying, “How can I send you to Kilinochichi with you having such a beautiful body”, kissed her by force. Alarmed by that, the female officer had pushed her and fled. Later, he had gone to her and threatened that she should be prepared to go home if she told anyone about the incident.

The female legal officers sexually harassed by Brig. Rajapathirana have got together and complained to the Sri Lanka Bar Association, Bribery Commission and the women and children’s bureau of the police.

When the BASL inquired the Army commander about the allegations, he passed the buck and appointed Maj. Gen. R.V. Udawatte to carryout an investigation. Udawatte and Rajapathirana were colleagues at the engineering corps. Udawatte is also infamous for giving false evidence against former Army commander Sarath Fonseka.

If further information is needed, please call Brig. W.P.U. Weerasinghe, Lt. Col. N.H. Wijedasa or Maj. Nallaperuma.