30th November 2011,

Honourble Chief Justice,

Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka,

Colombo 12.

My lady,


I state that I am a practising lawyer and I have been in the practice since 1991

I state that on 28th November 2011 I went to Anuradhapura Prison to have a consultation with the following clients in respect of their pending cases.

01. Umar katha

02. Alakan sivkumar

03. Aruthumar

04. hari karan

05. sathiyalingam

I state that one of Junior Lawyers Mr. H.W.U.Premaratne also joined me and we were asked to submit names of my clients.

Thereafter prison officers went to the prison to facilitate us to meet them.

I state that thereafter we had been waiting outside for more than one hour. Since no response from the officers we inquired about the delay.

Thereafter one officer came and said our clients were involving a demonstration and thus they cannot come out. We have told them it is very important them to meet us today and if they are not denying to meet us why officers could not bring these clients out.

Subsequently the said officer again went inside and came out with a different version namely due to an order from the administration we cannot be allowed to meet the clients causing severe problems to my clients.

I state that with great respect as a lawyer I have a right to meet my clients and the administration of the prison cannot deprive that right without proper and sound reason.

I was informed several of my clients that they were assaulted by some officers and thus I verily believe my clients’ are under life threat inside the prison.

In the circumstances I herewith complain about the wrongful conduct of the Superintendent of Prison in Anuradhapura and Your Ladyship be pleased to inquire on this matter and direct the necessary parties to take appropriate action against the wrong doers in order to preserve the rights of the lawyers and general public.

Thank You.

Yours Faithfully,

W.P. Sittampalam

Cc

Mr. Shibly Aziz PC, President, Bar Association Of Sri Lanka, Colombo 12

The Prison Commissioner, Sri Lanka Prison Department, Welikada