Immediately Detain Sri Lanka’s National Intelligence Chief: Diaspora Tamils Tell Swiss Authorities
November 16, 2016
Tamil Diaspora organisations have today called on the Swiss authorities to immediately detain and prevent Director of Sri Lanka’s Centre for National Intelligence, Sisira Mendis from leaving Switzerland until there is a thorough investigation into the serious charges of torture against him.
Sisira Mendis
Sisira Mendis is currently in Geneva as part of a delegation to defend the government of Sri Lanka’s adherence to the Convention Against Torture before the UN Committee Against Torture.
“According to the report of the UN’s OHCHR Investigation on Sri Lanka, Mr. Mendis had command responsibility over police units known to routinely practice torture during the final period of the Sri Lankan civil war.” the BTF said in a statement.
“While USTPAC and BTF are encouraged by the government of Sri Lanka’s decision to engage the UN Committee Against Torture, we are dismayed that Mr. Mendis represents the government before the very UN Committee charged with ensuring governments stop torture,” Dr. Karunyan Arulanantham, President of US Tamil Political Action Council (USTPAC), said. “His attendance in Geneva deeply disrespects Sri Lanka’s torture victims and mocks the esteemed work of the Committee Against Torture.” he said.
Mendis served as Deputy Inspector General of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and was also responsible for the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) from March 2008 to June 2009. Both organizations are known for their routine use of torture.
“…[Mendis’] attendance in Geneva deeply disrespects Sri Lanka’s torture victims and mocks the esteemed work of the Committee Against Torture”. On the basis of universal jurisdiction, Dr. Karunyan Arulanantham added, “we call on the Swiss authorities to immediately detain and prevent Mr. Mendis from leaving Switzerland until there is a thorough investigation into the serious charges of torture against him.”
