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Together again

Memories of home and a strong faith in God, helped him endure his captivity in Kilinochchi, says SI Bandujeewa Bopitigoda, the last of the three NCPA officials to be released by the LTTE

By N.Dilshath Banu

After nearly a year of being held captive by the LTTE and not knowing when he would return home, Sub Inspector Bandujeewa Bopitigoda was at last reunited with his family, last Saturday.

Overjoyed to be back with his wife and daughter Devini–who had during his forced absence progressed from the Montessori stage to being a year one student, – Bopitigoda recalled his waiting-game behind a 10 foot high metal fence, that all started when he and two other colleagues from the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) strayed into an uncleared area in Mannar, in pursuit of a British paedophile.

A happy family.
Pic by Berty Mendis

“Our main aim at that time was to capture the paedophile and we were so focused on our task that we didn’t realise what hit us initially. But I felt that something bad was going to happen, so I called my wife and told her to prepare for the worst,” Bopitigoda recalled.

Things were made clear to them on September 9, last year when the LTTE charged them of entering an uncleared area.

He said, although they were never ill-treated, they were always thinking of a way out. Their family members in desperation turned to anyone and everyone to get them released. The Police officers were produced before several LTTE ‘Court’ sittings and the days turned into months in a cell in far-away Killinochchi.

Talking about his other two colleagues, Mr. Bopitigoda said, “Our health began to deteriorate and Hemantha even got very sick. We were also worried about Sarath who had high blood pressure. We also kept thinking about our homes and families. When Sarath was suddenly released in January, we became optimistic.”

The following month, Bopitigoda was expected to be released along with Police Constable Hemantha. Back home, both families were happy that they too were being released. But things did not work out for Bopitigoda and he was detained for further interrogation. With both his colleagues freed, Bopitigoda’s anguish was further heightened and memories of family events, his daughter’s voice, the last call to his wife and thoughts of the pain his mother would be going through, kept haunting him. He hardly felt the desire to eat and had just one meal a day. He also attributed his ability to face those trying months- even when the security situation worsened and jets flew above his head—to his belief in God.

“Most of the time I was sort of numb and didn’t understand what was happning. But I prayed three times a day and I had the Bible always beside me. Even when things got bad with bombs raining and jets flying overhead I was not afraid and believed that God would protect me,” Bopitigoda said.

The LTTE’s decision to release him came at the least expected moment-at the height of heavy fighting between the LTTE and security forces and when the family had almost given up hope.

“They told last Friday evening, that I’ll be released the next day. but I didn’t get too excited. But the following day, an LTTE police officer came up to me and said I was free. I couldn’t believe it,” said an overjoyed Bopitigoda.

Back at home, six-year-old Devini, won’t budge an inch from him and keeps insisting that her father should take her around the country.

Though free at last, Bopitigoda is still weak after his 10-month ordeal and is under the supervision of doctors.

“I am not discouraged after all that has happened and I will to continue to work in the same post. On the contrary, I think what I went through has made me more determined to fight crimes against children,” he said.

Thanking all those who worked towards his release, he said he was specially grateful to.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa, his colleagues at NCPA, its current and former Chairpersons, including Prof. Harendra De Silva, Police Chief Chandra Fernando, SSP Cecil Perera, ASP Premadasa and local and international organisations.

Closer to home, he said he would never forget all that was done by his brother Kamal, who was a tower of strength. He also thanked his neighbours Idunil, Hiran, Christopher Fernando, Michael Anthony and others for being supportive of his family during his absence and to all those who prayed for his release.

Kamal who had gone to Kilinochchi more than 40 times to see his brother, said his release was a miracle. “This whole year my life revolved around this trip to Kilinochchi. Now we can all relax.”

Smith gets “not guilty”

Convicted paedophile, Michael Geoffrey Smith, was acquitted over charges of child abuse in Sri Lanka due to lack of evidence.

“The boys, who claimed to be abused later contradicted their statements. Earlier, they had told the NCPA that they had been abused by this paedophile and that he had even bitten their lips. But in courts, one boy said that he had himself bitten his lip and the other said he sustained injuries when eating a mango,” H.A Navavi, State Counsel said.

Before he came to Sri Lanka, Mr.Smith had been found guilty of child abuse in Britain and had been sentenced to six years, but had been released in two years, for good behaviour.

“Though he had a record of child abuse in the past, the British Government in a letter to the NCPA informed them that, that could not be used against him during the trial here,” Mr.Navavi said. The case was first taken up in the High Court before Rohini Perera and following her promotion to the Court of Appeal, the case was taken up before High Court Judge Upali Abeyratne.

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