On August 16th, 31-year-old Udesh Madhushanka, a resident of the Ja-Ela Tudella area, was falsely arrested by the Ja-Ela Police. The arrest was made in connection with an incident that occurred on August 14th, when Udesh was taken to a house that had allegedly been broken into by thieves, based on false information provided by an individual. He was later handed over to the Ja-Ela Police.
When Udesh’s mother visited the Ja-Ela Police Station on August 19th, Udesh informed her that he had been tortured. He claimed that the police had rubbed cochineals on his genitals, hung him up, and applied chili powder. His mother also witnessed his hands being tied with a blue cloth as he was taken to a police cell. Distraught, she cried out for her son, but the police threatened her and forced her to leave.
Following this incident, Udesh’s mother, Maya, filed a complaint with the Human Rights Commission over the phone. However, when the Human Rights Commission inquired with the Wattala Police, they denied that such a person had been arrested.
On August 20th, Udesh was presented to the Wattala Magistrate’s Court on false charges of possessing 500 mg of heroin. Due to the fact that he had been detained and tortured for five days, the court ordered that Udesh be admitted to the prison hospital. However, as of August 23rd, 2024, he had not yet been hospitalized, despite the court’s order. Udesh reported that his leg was swollen, pus was oozing from his wounds, and he was suffering from severe bruises.
