Torture of children at police station: Parents threatened to withdraw case

By Pradeep Prasanna Samarakoon and Sujeewa Thathsara

Unidentified groups were trying influence parents of three children who were allegedly beaten up by the Principal of the Millaniya Gangamuwa Primary School and tortured by police to withdraw their case, Chairman of the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) Chanaka Amarasinghe told The Island.Amarasinghe said that one parent had lodged a complaint with the Bandaragama Police that they were threatened by someone with links to the suspects.

The Bandaragama Police, contacted for comment, confirmed that a parent of a victim had been harassed on the road.Amarasinghe told the media that Judicial Medical Officer had confirmed that the children had been tortured.

The principal and two police officers were remanded until 16 November by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court. Two other suspects, a schoolteacher and a police constable, were released on bail. The NCPA too has launched an investigation. ASP for the Panadura Range is also conducting a police investigation into the matter.

The Education Department of the Western Province has announced that the suspect Principal will be suspended. Director of the Western Province Education Department, Srilal Nonis said an investigation led by an official from the Ministry of Education was underway.