Parliament Set To Debate Batalanda Report This Week

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Parliament is set to debate the Batalanda Commission Report this Thursday (10).

This report uncovers numerous details about abductions, torture, disappearances, and murders that occurred during the 1987-1990 period.

Excerpt: "Officers responsible for enforcing the law must act in accordance with it. No one can act against the law under the guise of their uniform, hoping for promotions and various privileges." End of Excerpt.

This statement was made by the Gampaha High Court judge while sentencing five police officers, including Douglas Peiris, to severe imprisonment for the abduction and detention of two brothers from the same family at the Batalanda torture chamber.

Douglas Peiris was the head of the Kelaniya Anti-Subversive Unit at the time.

His promotions are considered the longest leap in police history.

A special Cabinet paper was used for granting those promotions.

It was presented jointly by the then President and the State Defense Minister.

At the Presidential Commission it was revealed that Douglas Peiris, who faced numerous charges including murder, abduction, and extortion, was rapidly promoted due to his qualification of "eliminating subversive individuals."

The term "eliminating subversive individuals" was revealed by the Commission to mean the extrajudicial killing of individuals.

Excerpt of Former IGP Ernest Perera's statement before the Commission:

Lawyer: Mr. Nalin Delgoda says that Mr. Douglas Peiris acted to curb the growth of the terrorist movement by eliminating terrorist suspects.

Former IGP: This is a general statement; it might be a brief expression of Mr. Delgoda's thoughts.

Lawyer: What do you mean by this?

Former IGP: Elimination means suppressing terrorist activities outside the mechanism of justice.

The Presidential Commission revealed that the Batalanda torture chamber was used for abducting various individuals and extorting them.

Douglas Peiris has been sentenced to five years in prison, but only for the charge of abduction with the intent to kill.

The judicial process is still ongoing.

What is the obstacle to initiating a thorough investigation and bringing those involved in these crimes to justice?

When will justice be served?