Medawachchiya, April 11 – A disturbing incident has emerged from the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital, where a young man underwent surgery to remove his testicles following an alleged assault by police officers. The victim, a 23-year-old resident of the Thulawellia area in Medawachchiya, remains under treatment as questions swirl around the circumstances of his injuries.
According to the victim’s account, he was driving a mini-lorry with a companion when they were stopped by police officers at a checkpoint. What followed, as per his testimony to the media, was a harrowing ordeal where he was reportedly dragged out of the vehicle, his hands bound, and subjected to brutal physical assault by six officers. His companion was also allegedly assaulted.
The victim recounted the sequence of events, stating that despite his pleas for medical attention due to feeling unwell, he was taken to the Medawachchiya police station where the alleged assault continued. It was only upon examination by a doctor that the severity of his condition was realized, prompting his transfer to the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital.
Medical scans revealed internal hemorrhaging in his testicle, necessitating emergency surgery to remove it. The young man now suffers from severe pain in his abdomen, neck, and spine, as a result of the reported assault.
In contrast, the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Medawachchiya police, CI R.M.I.B. Ratnayake, offered a different version of events. He asserted that the lorry had failed to stop at the checkpoint, leading to a pursuit by police officers. According to the OIC, the driver was allegedly intoxicated and engaged in unruly behavior, while his companion was accused of possessing illicit liquor.
The OIC denied the allegations of assault leveled against the officers and stated that they had merely carried out their duties. However, following the incident, the officers involved have been transferred to another police station.
This incident has sparked outrage and raised concerns about police conduct and the treatment of individuals in custody. Calls for a thorough investigation into the matter and for accountability from the authorities have begun to echo, as the victim and his family seek justice for the alleged assault that has left him physically and emotionally scarred.
