14.4.2008
By Quintus Perera
Investigation
of assault and sexual harassment of a mother of two children
by the police and the medical officer was allegedly to
have been influenced by a person employed at the Kataragama
Divisional Secretariat.
The
victim is a mother of two children aged 14 and 1 ½
years and her husband employed in the Housing Authority,
working in Ampari was away from home when the incident
took place.
The
victim woman was forced into a room of her house, pushed
into a bed and torn off her clothes to force sexual assault,
but her cries made neighbors to rush to rescue her.
At
about 10am on 3 February 2008, the victim has seen the
alleged assailant employed at the DS office Kataragama
drinking alcohol with two other persons whose names she
did not know but could be identified. She has heard that
they were talking about the house of an accountant attached
to the office of the Divisional Secretary which is situated
behind her house.
At
about 4 pm, the alleged assailant came to victim’s
house and asked for her husband and she replied that he
was at work. The assailant then repeatedly asked her about
her husband in a threatening manner. The victim when inquired
the assailant has shown his identity card. Then he inquired
about the dispute the victim has with the accountant.
The
victim has told him that she did not know anything and
so to inquire from her husband. Then again alleged assailant
shouted for her husband and demanded him to come out of
the house.
While
shouting he forced into the house making the attempts
of the victim futile when she tried to prevent him entering
the house and pushed the victim into a bed in the room.
In the process he caught her and pulled her dress and
in the struggle her skirt was torn.
The
victim cried for help to prevent her cries for help he
took an exe lying in the house and struck a blow with
the handle to her head.
The
blow was so hard she fell down and the assailant struck
several blows at the victim while she was bleeding. At
that moment the Accountant too came with his sarong raised
inquiring for the victim’s husband. The victim noticed
that the accountant too was drunk.
Hearing
the cries of the victim, one neighbor rushed and pulled
the assailant by his shirt. At that moment several others
also has come and pulled everyone out while the assailant
and the accountant persisted fighting.
The
victim said that she was in severe pain due to injuries
she has sustained and has gone to Kataragama Police Station
to lodge an entry. Inside the police station, while the
police officer was taking down her complaint, another
officer told the officer taking down the complaint that
there was a phone call from the Divisional Secretary.
After answering the call the officer came back and continued
to write down her complaint. After finishing, the police
just got her signature on it but did not make her read
the contents.
The
victim was then sent to the Kataragama Hospiltal by the
police.
The
victim said that while the Doctor was checking her, he
too got a telephone call from the Divisional Secretary.
The Doctor told her that he could not treat her and sent
her to Hambanthota Hospital in an Ambulance. The same
day at about 8.pm they operated on her arm. She was in
the hospital for three days and in the afternoon of 5
February 2008 she was discharged. Since then, she has
been unable to work and her arm is still in plaster.
On
6 February she went to the police station and the police
asked her to go to the Mediation Board and settle the
matter, which she refused. A case was instituted in court.
Based
on her complaint, the police started investigation into
the alleged assault however, no progress has been reported.
In addition, due to the alleged influence by the office
of the Divisional Secretary the case has not been investigated.
Courtesy - Asian
Tribune