The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has called on the Chief of Prisons to take steps to save the life of a former CID chief Shani Abeysekara who was reported corona infection while in prison.
The Human Rights Commission has written to the Commissioner General of Prisons on November 25 that Shani Abeysekera, who is remanded in Mahara, be hospitalized immediately if he is infected with the Covid 19 virus.
The letter was sent to the Commissioner of Prisons Thushara Upuldeniya after receiving complaints regarding the life safety of the former CID chief.
“These complaints have been received following the news reports that Mr. Abeysekera, who is currently remanded at the Mahara Prison, has been infected with the Covid 19 virus,” said Commissioner Ramani Muththettuwegama in her letter.
“There is serious concern that this will endanger Mr. Abeysekera’s life. We are writing this letter to urge you to take an immediate action to this complaint and take strong action to protect the life of the person in your custody. If Mr. Abeysekera is infected with the virus, we recommend that he immediately admit the infected person to the nearest hospital for treatment. ”
Commissioner Ramani Muththettuwegama has requested Prisons Commissioner Thushara Upuldeniya to inform her of the steps to be taken to save Shani Abeysekara’s life before November 30.
The Human Rights Commission had earlier asked the prison chief to provide the life of Fatima Cader Sadia, the wife of a suspect in a series of Easter bombings in which she was reportedly infected with the Covid 19 virus.