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Wife takes human rights chief to court

A well known human rights activist has been summoned to court in the wake of a domestic violence case filed by his Attorney-at-Law wife in the Colombo Magistrate's Court.

Jeevan Thiyagrajah, Chairman, Institute of Human Rights and the Consortium of Human Rights Agencies, has been accused of committing grave assault and harassment in a case filed by his wife under the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act.

Antoinette Therese Shyama Fernando Thiyagrajah, a mother of two minors, has sought a Protection Order and an Interim Protection Order from court in the wake of alleged death threats and continued harassment from her husband.

THE COLOMBO POST learns that Thiyagrajah was present in court last week and was warned by Additional Magistrate Sujeewa Nissanka.

The humanitarian worker, who has allegedly acted in contravention of all humanitarian doctrines he preaches, rose to fame recently with a fundamental rights application filed against Malaka Silva, son of Deputy Minister Mervin Silva.

Ms. Thiyagrajah states that she has been married to the humanitarian worker for nearly 17 years and Thiyagrajah started harassing her in 2005, after she advised him to stop an adulterous affair with an office employee.

In a complaint filed through S.B. Dissanayake, Attorney-at-Law, Ms. Thiyagrajah alleges that her husband has been abusing her through obscene language and physical assault. She further states that her husband has been slapping her, pulling her hair and hitting her head with his legs and hands during brutal and merciless assaults .

THE COLOMBO POST also learns that Thiyagrajah has recently brought a fierce ridgeback dog that he sets off on his wife and minor children knowing very well that they are asthmatic. Ms. Thiyagrajah also notes that her husband has been encouraging their seven-year-old son to be violent and abusive towards her.

Thiyagrajah is also accused of brutally assaulting his wife in front of her children and hired domestic help. The petition goes on to suggest that the petitioner fears for her life following death threats made by her husband.

According to the petition, Ms. Thiyagrajah has been hospitalised following alleged assaults and she has complained about her husband's assaults to the Narahenpita Police on several occasions. The petitioner further states that she is unable to continue with her job due to mental and physical stress afflicted on her and the kids by the humanitarian worker. She also claims to fall sick often due to his repeated attacks.

The complaint goes on to say that Thiyagrajah has been abusing the lawyers appearing on Ms. Thiyagrajah's behalf using slang whilst looking down on lawyers.

Wife beating and assault of women is on the increase in Sri Lanka and many women do not complaint due to fear of their husbands. Such acts become grave especially when well known Human Rights activist who preach human rights to others fail to put their own houses in order.

The case against Jeevan Thiyagrajah continues on November 2.