By HIROHISA YAMASHITA/ Staff Writer
March 7, 2022 at 15:10 JST
Wishma Sandamali’s sister Poornima, seen sitting in a chair, attends a memorial service on the first anniversary of Wishma’s death in Aisai, Aichi Prefecture, on March 6. (Hirohisa Yamashita)
AISAI, Aichi Prefecture--A sister of a Sri Lankan woman who died while in detention in Nagoya prayed that the same tragedy will never occur again on the first anniversary of her death on March 6.
“I want measures to prevent a recurrence so that no one will again suffer a tragedy like my sister did,” Wishma Sandamali’s sister Poornima said in a speech after a memorial service held at the Myotsuji temple in Aisai, Aichi Prefecture, where her ashes are kept. “We will do our best to the last, so please support us.”
Some 40 attendees observed a moment of silence at 3:25 p.m., when Wishma, 33, was confirmed dead a year ago at a detention facility operated by the Nagoya Regional Immigration Services Bureau after her health deteriorated.
The attendees offered flowers and prayers to a picture of Wishma as a Sri Lankan Buddhist priest recited a sutra.
The same day, activists staged rallies across Japan calling for an improvement in the treatment of foreign nationals detained at immigration facilities.
Ayumi Honma, 20, a university sophomore from Nagakute, Aichi Prefecture, participated in a rally held in front of Nagoya Station.
“I want the issue to be tackled by the entire society because we need to hold those responsible accountable and overhaul the immigration system,” she said.
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