The Chairman of the Kirinda Puhulwella Pradeshiya Sabha, which is controlled by the National People’s Power (NPP), and four other were arrested by police yesterday (22) in connection with an incident of alleged unlawful confinement and harassment of a retired female teacher and her son inside a room.
The PS Chairman is accused of locking the retired teacher and her son, who is an engineer, inside a room and subjecting them to physical and psychological harassment under the pretext of preparing a report for the Human Rights Commission regarding a dispute over the alleged unauthorised construction of a wall along Vadigawatta Road in Kirinda town.
Following a complaint lodged by the mother and son with the Thihagoda Police, officers arrested the five suspects including the Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman.
The incident reportedly stemmed from a dispute over a wall constructed by a technical officer attached to the Pradeshiya Sabha, who lives on an adjoining property to the complainants.
After the teacher’s son purchased a car and brought it home, the technical officer allegedly took several days off work at his own discretion and constructed part of a wall in a manner that prevented the car from being driven out of the property.
Subsequently, the Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman had summoned the retired teacher and her son to the council offices, to discuss the dispute and claiming that a report for the Human Rights Commission needed to be prepared regarding the incident. He had later allegedly locked them inside a room.
The incident was subsequently reported to the Thihagoda Police, which took steps to present the facts before the Matara District Court.
Accordingly, five individuals, including the Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman, were arrested on allegations of abuse of authority, causing physical and psychological harassment, and the unlawful use of political power. Police subsequently produced them before the Matara Magistrate’s Court.
After considering the facts presented, the Matara Magistrate’s Court ordered the release of the suspects, including the Chairman of the Kirinda Puhulwella Pradeshiya Sabha, on personal bail.
