Balavarnam eyewitness ‘fear for life’
The eyewitness of an alleged police brutality in Colombo says she feared for her life after testifying before courts against police officers. Renu Gunathilake has witnessed the brutal killing of a psychologically impaired person allegedly by police officers off the Bambalapitiya beach in Colombo a month ago.
“I am very afraid of my life. Because I gave evidence against the police they can hire others to kill me,” she told a journalist.
“Or else they can create a case and lock me up. I live on my own,” the eyewitness said adding that she needs protection from the authorities.
The forced drowning in the sea of Balavarnam Sivakumar, while he pleads the assailants to stop, was telecast live by privately owned TV channel TNL.
This incident of alleged police brutality was widely condemned and some police officers were arrested on suspicion of assault.
A public alms giving was organised on Monday by Balavaranam’s sister, Pramila Devi, and residents of Ratmalana where Balavarnan lived to commemorate the victim and to protest against the police.
The organisers urged the authorities to take firm actions against the killers. – (BBC)
