News
Kahawatte wrapped in fear and silence after recent killing
= Police say killings since 2008 not connected and say they have good relationship with villagers
= Chief Monk hits out at media for over-publicity
Fear, uncertainty and mistrust; these words aptly describe the mood that prevails in the once peaceful Kotakethana area in the Kahawatte Police Division, following the gruesome killing of a mother and daughter 10 days ago, as authorities moved to provide psychological support to the villagers.
A lonely footpath leads to the house where the recent killings took place. Pix by Indika Handuwala
“We will sell our property and move to my mother’s house. Our lives are more valuable,” a woman who lives with her family in the neighbourhood of the latest victims Mrs. U.D.Premawathie and her daughter, told the Sunday Times, on condition of anonymity.
She said even the presence of the police did not make them feel safe. She says she has not been told of any instructions other than not to open the door at night. “The police held meetings and my husband attended them. May be he knows what to do,” she said. She added that she called out for help on the night she saw her neighbour’s house in flames. She said the regular police patrol had visited their house the day before but they did not come on the day that the tragic incident occurred.
Another villager said she and her 23-year-old son were planning to leave their home.
Some school leavers in the area were cordial when spoken to but did not want their photographs taken. “How are we to get a job in another village when they know we are from Kahawatte?” one of them asked.
They said they were relieved that there was a police post in the area, adding that they too joined the police patrol at night. However, they were worried what would happen once the police post was removed. “Surely the Police will not stay here forever,” they said.
Meanwhile, Kahawatte, Rishiniketanaramaya Chief incumbent Ven. Kahawatte Semindha Thera found fault with the media for giving the wrong picture that the murders were committed in Kahawatte. He said the Kotakethana and Dimbulwala Grama Niladhari Divisions where most of the killings took place belonged to the Godakawela Divisional Secretariat (DS) and not to the Kahawatte DS, although they belong to the Kahawatte police division.
The Thera who was reluctant to talk to the media said, “I have talked enough about this and unnecessary media coverage given to earlier incidents have guided the killers in this incident to wipe out all possible evidence by setting the house on fire.”
Although he believed that media publicity was necessary to control crime, he felt over-publicity of details of the investigations and tracking down the killers of the previous crimes should be avoided in the best interest of the villagers.
“People passing Kahawatte will not stop here, people are losing business. Kahawatte is well-known for gems, not murders,” the Thera lamented.
“Murderers can get bail in a short time and can come out to commit other crimes,” he argued, pointing out that certain weak points in the law should be remedied to control the crimes. “The suspect who allegedly killed his mother was granted bail.” He felt political patronage was a hindrance to enforcing the law effectively.
Another resident said people were afraid to talk openly. “There are CID officers and police in the village. Because of their presence the routine life of the villagers has changed drastically,” he said adding that the fear psychosis is making the people act in an abnormal manner.
Rishiniketanaramaya Chief incumbent Ven. Kahawatte Semindha Thera
“Since almost all the murder suspects are from the villages people are scared to talk. Some might know certain things but are afraid to talk fearing reprisals,” he said, adding that the people no longer trust one another. Describing it as a sorry state, he said some villagers don’t have faith in the Police or the CID, as they feel they may share information with the offenders. The villagers don’t trust anyone he said, explaining that this may be why police claim that the people are scared to come forward to give evidence.
He also alleged that the Police were indifferent and slow to respond to complaints made by poor villagers. “This could be the reason for the increase in the number of killings,” he said citing an example of an old woman who had complained to the Police of a land dispute but so far no one had visited her home to make inquiries.
Meanwhile, Kahawatte Police responding to this allegation said the dearth of police officers had limited their essential duties. He said earlier they had only around 70 officers to provide security to two cabinet ministers, the magistrates court, and the residence of the magistrate and also attend court cases. “We had hardly any officers to send on patrolling. But now we have enough officers,” he said.
According to the Officer In Charge OIC of the Kotakethana Police Post, SI Jayatissa, the police have built up a good relationship with the villagers of five villages Kotakethana, Samagipura, Warapitiya, Opathawatte and Dimbulwala, a large hilly area with tea , rubber and paddy and with more than 500 houses scattered in a large area, He said the post was initially set up with 10 officers on June 22, following the brutal murder of two elderly sisters Hethunge Dayawathie and Hethunge Thilakawathie on May 31. The number was increased to 14 and now to 30 officers following the latest incident on July 18.
He said villagers attend meetings and educational programmes organised by them and that they have been co-operative. Commenting on the routine activities of the police post he said the officers leave the post in the evening and return the following day.
According to OIC Jayatissa many of the menfolk of the households have moved out of the village on work, leaving behind wives and daughters making them easy prey for criminals. “We have identified them and have taken special measures to protect them,” he assured.
In view of the prevailing situation, families retire for the day by early evening and during the daytime women who are alone at home gather together at a neighbour’s house for security measures.
Police also maintain that the 14 killings committed in the area since 2008 are not connected and that all the suspects except for one was in remand custody, Kahawatte Police Community Relations Officer Bandula Kumara said. He said the cases were pending at the Magistrate’s Court and no one has been indicted in the High Court yet.
“Only one suspect is on bail but he is in the Badulla area,” he said, refuting reports that the particular suspect was involved in the political campaigns of a powerful politician in the area.
He also added that studies were being conducted in conjunction with Ratnapura headquarters Police Community Relations Officer Colvin Ariyaratne under the direction of the Senior DIG C.D. Wickremaratne to identify any socio-economic or political reasons for the killing of women in the Kotakethana area.
He also said with the help of the Mental Health unit of the Ratnapura Hospital police were conducting counselling clinics for adults between the ages of 18-45 years. The first clinic was held on June 26 and the second will be held on August 9, he added.
Meanwhile Senior DIG C.D. Wickremaratne told the Sunday Times that the investigations have been officially handed over to the CID.
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