Sri Lankan national seeks assistance

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, JULY 24. A Sri Lankan national, Ms. Kusuma Ranjini, who was acquitted by the judiciary in 2000 after being arrested in a narcotic case in 1998, today appeared before the State Women's Commission before which she had filed a petition seeking official help and financial assistance to return home.

The chairperson of the Commission, Ms. Sreedevi, gave her a patient hearing. Later, a spokesperson of the Commission told reporters that the plight of Ms. Ranjini would be taken up with the Sri Lankan Embassy through official channels. It would also be examined whether her expired passport and visa could be renewed to facilitate her travel. Meanwhile, some private citizens have expressed their willingness to foot the expenses required for reuniting the woman with her family in Sri Lanka. The Government of Kerala has also initiated contact with the Sri Lankan authorities through the General Administration Department to further the case of Ms. Ranjini.

The 35-year-old woman is at present an inmate of the Mahila Mandiram run by the State Women's Commission in Poojappura. A resident of Batta Leer in Sri Lanka, Ms. Ranjini said that she was mistakenly arrested by the police while boarding a flight to Colombo from Thiruvananthapuram on March 29, 1998. She had arrived in Thiruvananthapuram on March 24 to buy saris for resale at her home town. Ms. Ranjini had also worked as a house maid in the Gulf for six years, she told reporters at the office of the Women's Commission.

At the airport, Ms. Ranjini said that she met a man with whom she struck an acquaintance. Suddenly, he was arrested by a Narcotic Team. Ms. Ranjini said that she was also taken into custody when she innocently enquired why the man was being held. Later, she found herself a co-accused in the narcotic case.

She was housed at the Central Prison as an undertrial for more than two-and-a-half years. During the period, her husband, Mr. Kinsley Fernado, who works as a security officer at a coconut oil factory in Sri Lanka, had visited her several times. Soon, financial constraints forced him to abandon efforts to get in touch with her, except through mail.

The enforcement authorities had mistaken a baggage containing narcotic substances as that of Ms. Ranjini. After being incarcerated in the prison as an undertrial for nearly three years, Ms. Ranjini was released after being found not guilty by a court of law.

After the release, Ms. Ranjini, who was bereft of any money or help was taken by the police and handed over to the care of the State Women's Commission

Ms. Ranjini said she has two daughters - Nirosha Kumudam (16) and Dhillon Chandrika (14). Ms. Ranjini told mediapersons that she was pining to see them and it was her greatest wish to be back with her family.

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Section  : Southern States
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