A disabled prisoner has been hospitalized following an alleged assault by a prison guard at the Weerawila Open Prison Camp.
The prisoner, W.A. Nishan Sanjeewa Hetti Arachchi, a resident of Badalgama, Katukenda, was arrested by the Mattakkuliya Police on October 22, 2024, for possession of 200 milligrams of heroin. On October 23, 2024, the Mattakkuliya Court imposed a fine of Rs. 7,000 on him. Unable to pay the fine, he was sentenced to six months in prison and sent to Welikada Prison, from where he was transferred to the Weerawila Open Prison Camp later that night.
On October 31, 2024, while at the camp, W.A. complained of a headache and requested two Panadol tablets from a prison guard named Nishantha. The guard reportedly became enraged by this request and assaulted W.A. with a stick, inflicting severe injuries to his only functional hand.
Despite his injuries, the prison authorities allegedly failed to provide medical attention for seven days. By November 7, 2024, his condition had worsened due to severe infection and pus discharge from the wound. He was finally transferred to the Hambantota Base Hospital, where he was admitted for inpatient care in Ward 04.
This incident raises serious concerns about the treatment of prisoners and the violation of their rights. Although prisoners are acknowledged as human beings, this case reflects a troubling level of inhumanity. The right to freedom from torture is an inalienable and fundamental human right, and incidents such as this demand immediate attention and accountability.