Probe sought into prisoner's death
Activists claim suspected former rebel died from a beating by prison guards
Activists call for answers over the death of Ganeshan Nimalaruban during a protest in Colombo
- ucanews.com reporter, Colombo
- Sri Lanka
- July 12, 2012
Activists on Tuesday called for a new autopsy on the body of a suspected former Tamil Tiger guerilla who died in prison last week under “suspicious circumstances.”
They say 28-year-old Ganeshan Nimalaruban died on July 4 as a result of a beating by prison officers following a prison revolt in northern Vavuniya district at the end of last month in which three prison guards were taken hostage in a protest over prisoner transfers.
Prison authorities and the government deny Nimalaruban was beaten or abused and say he had a congenital heart condition and died of a heart attack.
“The government should carry out a thorough investigation and find the true circumstances behind his death,” said Anglican priest Marimuthupillai Sathivel at a protest in Colombo.
“We demand a new autopsy be carried out on the body of Nimalaruban as it is hard to believe he died of natural causes,” the priest added.
Tamil MP, Suresh Premachandran, also disputed the version of events given by prison officials, saying prison guards had sought revenge in response to the riot and attacked the prisoners with weapons and stones.
He said some of the prisoners he had spoken to after the mutiny had claimed they were beaten around the head, some had their legs broken and that guards continued to assault several prisoners while they were unconscious.
One prisoner is reportedly in a coma in hospital.
Nimalaruban’s parents say when they saw their son’s body he was covered in blood. They also say that authorities have refused to let them claim the body so they can take their son home to Vavuniya and perform proper funeral rites for him.
The authorities, citing security concerns, want Nimalaruban cremated near Colombo.
Human rights lawyers, acting on behalf of the family, have lodged a petition with the Supreme Court seeking a probe into the death.
Related reports
Protesters seek pardon for LTTE rebels
Tamil supporters start hunger strike
They say 28-year-old Ganeshan Nimalaruban died on July 4 as a result of a beating by prison officers following a prison revolt in northern Vavuniya district at the end of last month in which three prison guards were taken hostage in a protest over prisoner transfers.
Prison authorities and the government deny Nimalaruban was beaten or abused and say he had a congenital heart condition and died of a heart attack.
“The government should carry out a thorough investigation and find the true circumstances behind his death,” said Anglican priest Marimuthupillai Sathivel at a protest in Colombo.
“We demand a new autopsy be carried out on the body of Nimalaruban as it is hard to believe he died of natural causes,” the priest added.
Tamil MP, Suresh Premachandran, also disputed the version of events given by prison officials, saying prison guards had sought revenge in response to the riot and attacked the prisoners with weapons and stones.
He said some of the prisoners he had spoken to after the mutiny had claimed they were beaten around the head, some had their legs broken and that guards continued to assault several prisoners while they were unconscious.
One prisoner is reportedly in a coma in hospital.
Nimalaruban’s parents say when they saw their son’s body he was covered in blood. They also say that authorities have refused to let them claim the body so they can take their son home to Vavuniya and perform proper funeral rites for him.
The authorities, citing security concerns, want Nimalaruban cremated near Colombo.
Human rights lawyers, acting on behalf of the family, have lodged a petition with the Supreme Court seeking a probe into the death.
Related reports
Protesters seek pardon for LTTE rebels
Tamil supporters start hunger strike
