Pay Nine Lacks as compensation to Sri Lankan Fernado Family: Madras High Court

Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court today directed the Tamil Nadu Government to pay Rs. 9 lacks as compensation to family of a Sri Lankan fisherman Wamrnakulasooriya Canicius Fernando(44), who was shot dead by the local police in-front of the Madurai Prison in 2007.

While allowing a petition filed by an Advocate Sekaran, Mr Justice V Ramasubramanian ordered for compensation and directed the state government to pay the amount through the Indian High Commission in Colombo to the family of Fernando.

It may be recalled, a Sri Lankan national was shot dead by a security guard in front of the Madurai central prison on October 6, 2007.

Warnakulasooriya Canicius Fernando of Negombo in Sri Lanka, who had come to see his fishermen friends lodged in the prison, was killed when the guard, D. Devaraj, opened fire on suspicion.

The victim had applied for an interview with the prisoners and had in his possession a letter issued by the Sri Lankan Deputy High Commission, Chennai, certifying his identity and purpose of visit.

The body was shifted to the Government Rajaji Hospital for post-mortem. An enquiry by a Revenue Divisional Officer has been ordered.

In a complaint lodged with the Karimedu police, Jail Superintendent P. Govindarajan said the Sri Lankan national had not replied to questions raised by the outer security guard. Though the guard asked him to stand still in a particular spot, Mr. Fernando entered into an argument and rushed towards him. “Apprehending danger, the outer security guard Devaraj opened one round of fire from his self loading rifle,” Mr. Govindarajan said, adding that the bullet injured Mr. Fernando below the neck.

Fernando was a representative of the owner of the fishing vessel, ‘Devdu Prasamsa,’ apprehended by the Coast Guard along with a four-member crew on June 13, 2007. A case was registered by the Thermal Nagar police station in Tuticorin district.

The four suspects – Thompe Joqunenu Kaushan Makiriququo, Kurugulasuriya John Visthiran Fernando, Sebastian Francis Piqaredu and Kurugulasuriya Sujan Kumara Fernando – charged under various sections of the Maritime Zone Act and Indian Passport Act, had been sentenced to four months’ imprisonment. The prison terms ends on October 8.

In a letter issued on September 24, S. Khan, Counsellor for the Deputy High Commissioner, said Mr. Fernando was visiting India for the release of the fishing vessel and the crew members. He requested the authorities concerned to assist and extend all possible cooperation to Mr. Fernando.

- Asian Tribune -