The family of late ruggerite Wasim Thajudeen has called on the Anura Kumara Dissanayake Government to reopen investigations into his death, claiming justice has been denied for over a decade.
Addressing the media, Thajudeen’s uncle recalled that under the previous Yahapalanaya administration, a court-appointed panel of seven Judicial Medical Officers had concluded that Thajudeen was tortured and burnt to death.
“In May 2012, I was first told that Wasim had met with an accident and passed away. But when I arrived at the scene, I found him in the passenger seat of a car with minimal damage. It was difficult to believe such an accident could cause death,” he said.
He noted that the initial report claimed Thajudeen had died due to overspeeding and drunk driving, and that the cause of death was smoke inhalation from a fire sparked by the accident.
However, following the Yahapalanaya Government’s decision to exhume the body, the fresh investigation contradicted the earlier findings, concluding that Thajudeen had been tortured before being burnt.
Thajudeen’s uncle said the family has still not received justice from any government and urged the current administration to pursue the case even after 13 years.
“Why was this done? Was it because he was a ruggerite? We have complete faith in the judiciary. If this government also fails to act, then we have no hope for the future,” he said.
Thajudeen’s charred remains were found inside a car near Shalika Grounds, Colombo, in May 2012. The incident was initially ruled an accident.
