Khuram Shaikh’s companion was not raped, says Sri Lankan Minister

Chief Government Whip, Minister Dinesh Gunawardena told Parliament that the female accompanying Khuram Shaikh, the Rochdale man who was killed in Sri Lanka, had not been raped or subjected to harassment.

Khuram, 32, from Milnrow, was a physiotherapist working for the International Red Cross in the Middle East when he was killed in a brutal attack in 2011 as he tried to break up a fight in a hotel bar.

Eight people, including a Sri Lankan politician, were arrested and bailed. They all deny the charges.

Sri Lankan Minister Gunawardena, responding to a query raised by UNP Kurunegala District MP Dayasiri Jayasekara, said the 23-year-old Russian partner of Khuram, Victoria Alexandravona, had only received serious injuries as a result of being assaulted.

MP for Rochdale, Simon Danczuk, who has been campaigning for justice for the family of Khuram, including taking Khuram's brother to Sri Lanka in March this year to to press the authorities for further investigation of the case, said: "This is really disappointing. I met with the chief of police who showed me medical reports clearly indicating otherwise."

Mr Jayasekara said that the Minister’s answer contradicted the statement given by the victim to the Police soon after the incident.

Minister Gunawardena said: "I am presenting the answer given to me by the Ministry of Defence based on the police records submitted to them. If you have more details or evidence on the matter present it to the Court as there is case pending."

Earlier this year, in a statement, the Sri Lanka High Commission said: "The government of Sri Lanka is committed to prosecute the persons responsible, and has made every endeavour to initiate criminal proceedings.

"A report relating to DNA evidence is awaited and all arrangements have been made to commence proceedings upon receipt of the same."