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Footage of Sri Lankan woman who died in detention made public NHK

Lawyers for the relatives of a Sri Lankan woman who died at an immigration facility in Japan have released a portion of the video that shows her complaining of declining health.

Wishma Sandamali died at the facility in Nagoya, central Japan, two years ago. She was 33. She was held in detention there for overstaying her visa.

Her family sued the government for damages. The government submitted a five-hour video taken of Wishma during her detention as evidence at the trial. Part of it was released on Thursday.

Eleven days prior to her death, Wishma is heard telling staff she hadn't eaten anything or slept for a long time. "One month, one week."

A staff member said she would ask a supervisor to take her to hospital, but did not know if it would be possible that same day.

Wishma said she wanted to go right away. The staff member said she wanted to take her, but did not have the authority.

The day before her death, Wishma is heard groaning while staff appear to be chatting casually.

Wishma's condition changed abruptly on March 6. A staff member is seen trying to rouse her, saying, "Ms. Sandamali, Sandamali. Can you hear me? Ms. Sandamali!"

Immigration officials say Wishma died about an hour later.
Her relatives and their lawyers told reporters that they wanted the public to know what detention is like, and how inhuman it is.

Wishma sister, Wayomi Nisansala, says, "I want people to watch the video and think about how unfair it was for our family and our sister."

The family filed a criminal complaint, accusing officials at the center of homicide. Prosecutors decided against filing charges, but a citizen's inquest panel said the decision not to indict was unjust.
Summary
Sri Lankan woman Wishma Sandamali, 33, died in a Japanese immigration facility after overstaying her visa. Lawyers for her family released a portion of a five-hour video showing her declining health and complaints about lack of food and sleep eleven days before death. The video also depicts staff
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ID: daf3264f-4650-4870-adcb-f892e1ca7ebd

Category ID: nhk

URL: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230407_03/

Date: April 7, 2023

Created: 2023/04/07 07:20

Updated: 2025/12/09 05:18

Last Read: 2023/04/07 07:38