The Committee for Protecting Rights of Prisoners (CPRP) strongly condemns the life-threatening call received by the mother of Kapila Kumara de Silva, who was forcibly disappeared.
This alarming threat occurred last Friday (14th) at midnight, just a day after CPRP filed a complaint with the Attorney General under the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance Act No. 5 of 2018.
The threatening phone call, received at 28 minutes past midnight, warned Kapila Kumara’s mother, “We are not afraid to file a case. We will destroy your families.” (“නඩු දැම්මට අපි බය නෑ. උඹලගෙ පවුල් පිටින් විනාශ කරනව”). She reported this threat to the Ahangama Police the next day (15th), under complaint number CIB 5 285/109. The death threat originated from the phone number 0775379878, and while at the police station, she received another call from the same number at 14:37 PM, which was disconnected by the caller.
This complaint is notably the first under International Convention No. 5 of 2018, an agreement adopted by the United Nations Human Rights Council that Sri Lanka has committed to implementing.
CPRP believes that such threats undermine the credibility of Sri Lanka on the international stage, especially given the attention from the United Nations Human Rights Council’s Sri Lanka Accountability Project (SLAP). Impunity in these cases could lead to significant international repercussions for Sri Lanka.
We view these threats as despicable attempts to obstruct justice and emphasize the government’s responsibility to protect witnesses and victims. CPRP asserts that all citizens should have equal access to the law and that the government must demonstrate this by taking immediate action against these threats.
The Committee for Protecting Rights of Prisoners (CPRP) urges the government to enforce the law against those making these threats and expresses deep concern over the safety of individuals involved in this case.
Sincerely,
Senaka Perera. Attorney at Law, Director
Sudesh Nandimal Executive Director
Press Release
Director /06/2024
Colombo, Sri Lanka.