'Kama' night club bouncers allegedly assault youth

In a continuing spree of violence unleashed by bouncers at reputed nightclubs in Colombo, a 21-year-old youth who was severely assaulted early on Saturday by the bouncers of Kama Colombo - Galle Face, Colombo 2, is currently receiving treatment at the National Hospital in Colombo. The Kollupitiya Police said a businessman and a bouncer identified by the victim and eye witnesses, had fled their residences and were still at large.

The club’s bouncers who acted as private security personnel had allegedly taken the law into their hands and mercilessly beaten the young student, forcing him down a flight of stairs, according to eyewitnesses.

The student had pleaded with the manager who was standing outside the club to stop the assault.

According to eyewitnesses the manager had then taken the boy to the car park at the rear of the club and directed the bouncers to continue with the assault.

It was also revealed that Kama Colombo, allegedly managed by a nephew of a top business magnate formerly involved in the Casino and Nightclub trade, did not possess a valid liquor license.

“They have closed down the club, and they did not possess a valid liquor license. These aspects will be looked into,” The Police said.

Police spokesman SP Buddhika Siriwardana said bouncers of a night club or any other private security officer could not assault any individual.

“No one can take the law into their hands and no one could assault any individual unless it is within the parameters of self defence,” he said.

Earlier there were several reports of violence unleashed by bouncers of clubs with no action being taken against them due to the clubs being owned by influential businessmen, and companies employing bouncers also having equal clout.

 A businessman identified as Ali Asger Shabbir Gulamhusein was arrested this morning in connection with the assault of a youth at the 'Kama- Colombo'- Night Club, the Kollupitiya Police said.

They said they are currently in the process of tracing the ‘bouncers' of the club and they would be arrested shortly for the alleged assault on a 21 year old youth.

The Police earlier said  the club- 'Kama, Colombo' where the alleged assault took place and its security guards were allegedly involved in the assault, did not possess a valid liquor license.

“They have closed down the club, and they did not possess a valid liquor license. These aspects will be looked into,” The Police said.

Source : DM

“Kama Colombo” nightclub was illegal - Excise Dept

The Excise Department said yesterday that the “Kama - Colombo” nightclub did not possess a valid liquor licence and was functioning illegally at the time of the alleged assault on a youth on Saturday.

“They were functioning completely illegally. The liquor license of Kama - Restaurant, at No. 328, Macan Markar Mawatha, Colombo 3, was suspended in June. Thereafter they had no authority to function as a club”, said Excise Superintendent Prabath Jayawickrema.

Jayawickrema said that the liquor licence was suspended at the request of the original holder of the licence.

“The licence was suspended at the request of the original holder of I, and that means it’s a complete cancellation. They cannot function as a club or sell alcohol within it,” he said.

Jayawickrama added that the law enforcement authorities of the area had the right to ensure that the club did not operate after being informed of the suspension.

“We don’t issue or extend liquor licenses without the recommendation of the local police station,” he said.