Detainee assaulted

By Dilip Jayasekara

A detainee in Weerawila Outdoor Prison had been severely assaulted allegedly by a jail guard when he requested for a Panadol as he had developed a headache.   

Hambantota Human Rights First Aid Centre strongly condemned the alleged assault on a sick prisoner and keeping him for seven days without any treatment for the injuries he had sustained in the assault. Coordinator of the Human Rights First Aid Centre Tharanga L. Patabendi said they had received a complaint in this regard and while condemning the assault, said steps would be taken to provide him legal aid to seek justice.  

He said the victim in critical condition, was now under treatment at Hambantota General Hospital. 

The detainee had been sentenced to six months imprisonment in default of a fine of Rs.7000 for possessing 200 mlgms of heroin. He had been transferred from the Welikada Prisons to the Outdoor Prison in Weerawila.   

Human Rights officials said the jail guard had severely assaulted the handicapped prisoner when he had requested for a Panadol.