The family of the late Sri Lanka rugby player Wasim Thajudeen has called on the Anura Kumara Dissanayake-led government to reopen investigations into his death, insisting that justice has been denied for over 13 years.
Speaking to the media, Thajudeen’s uncle recalled that in May 2012, the family was informed that the player had died in a car accident.
“When I arrived at the scene, he was in the passenger seat, and the vehicle had suffered only minimal damage. It was surprising that anyone could have died in such an accident,” he said.
The initial police report claimed that Thajudeen had been speeding and driving under the influence, and had died after inhaling smoke from a fire caused by the crash.
However, during the Yahapalana administration, a court-appointed panel of seven Judicial Medical Officers exhumed the body and concluded that Thajudeen had been tortured and burnt to death, contradicting the original findings.
“Despite that revelation, we have not received justice from any government. We hope that the present administration will finally act and ensure that those responsible are punished,” the uncle stressed.
Questioning the motive, he added, “Why was this done? Was it because he was a ruggerite? We have complete faith in the judiciary. But if this government too fails to act, then there is no hope for the future.”
