A Book That Tells The Story Of Human Tragedy
By Eran Wickramaratne - October 9, 2013
Eran Wickramaratne MP
Basil Fernando’s well researched book documents state perpetrated torture reaching back to 1998 and tells a harrowing narrative of the willingness of state machinery to resort to the most egregious violations of personal security and dignity within remit of the criminal justice system. A large number of cases paint a gruesome picture of dismembered bodies, widespread sexual assault, forced starvation and a repeated denial of medical attention. Strikingly, although the documented cases are spread out over a duration of 15 years. Each story seems resoundingly familiar. Individuals are arrested on fictitious or flimsy charges and brutalized at the hand of the system. In the event that they make it out alive, accountability for the injustices committed are rarely forthcoming and challenges to police perpetrated abuse are often silenced either through unwarranted delays in the court system or the threat of further violence outside it.
Torture victims are almost entirely the poor and marginalized in society. The lack of education, wealth, or political connections makes the victim vulnerable. The victim’s ability to resist torture and fight back false charges are minimal, and makes them easy prey in an unjust system.
In effect, our criminal justice system is seen as failing its victims twice while protecting its perpetrators from being held guilty of violating all that is fundamental in our Constitution, leaving us with a traumatized society and shrinking spaces for democracy and deliberation to thrive. The right to be free from torture is fundamental and universal. The United Nations declaration, the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and Sri Lanka’s own Act No. 22 of 1994 clearly recognizes the legal right of an individual to live in a secure environment as a free agent, free from torture. The right to be free from torture deserves our attention because its abrogation threatens to erode the very the fabric of our humanity. The fact that states engage in official torture cannot be doubted – we have heard numerous examples of state perpetrated torture in recent times (China, Nigeria, Pakistan etc.). However, it is important to stress that regardless of the circumstances, all states believe that it is wrong. All that engage in torture vehemently deny it. No state uses ‘sovereignty’ as a justification for the right to torture its own citizens.Read More
Former Sri Lankan President’s Son Was Given Aegrotat Degree – LSE Admits Today
October 9, 2013 |
Sajith Premadasa, the son of former Sri Lankan President R. Premadasa, was awarded a degree certificate by the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) as a Bachelor of Science (Economics) in International Relations after sitting only his first year examinations while his father was the President of Sri Lanka, the Colombo Telegraph can reveal today.
Late President R. Premadasa
The London University has given him what is known as an Aegrotat degree on August 01, 1991, the LSE today told Colombo Telegraph. The relevant LSE regulation states: “the candidate may be offered an Aegrotat degree if satisfying the School under Regulation 45 but not recommended for an Honours or Pass degree. The candidate has the right to accept or decline the offer within a reasonable time specified by the School from time to time. In the event that the candidate has re-entered for examinations, the offer will lapse. An Aegrotat degree will be unclassified.” This means that Premadasa’s degree is not even equal to an Ordinary (Pass) degree.
When Colombo Telegraph made enquiries from LSE on October 02, it said, “Our records show that Sajith Premadasa graduated from LSE with an undergraduate degree in international relations in 1989. We do not allow students to graduate who have not completed their course of study.”
Today, however, the LSE confirmed that the former President’s son was given an Aegrotat degree in 1991, and not 1989. The LSE said they had read the Colombo Telegraph story, “Exclusive: Sajith Premadsa Only Has Sick Degrees From UK And US, London Uni Carrying Out Further Investigations” and apologized for giving wrong dates previously and the delayed reply.
In his Facebook page Sajith says; A graduate of the London School of Economics (LSE) and Political Science of the University of London, his degree covered the areas of economics, politics and international relations, an education that served him in good stead later when he launched himself as a grassroot politician.
