The Sri Lanka Police will not provide special protection to any officer found to have engaged in misconduct or illegal activities, and strict legal and disciplinary action will be taken against those responsible, Police Spokesperson Assistant Superintendent of Police F. U. Wootler said.
His remarks came amid an investigation into the death of a suspect in police custody in Homagama, in connection with which several police officers have been suspended and a Sub-Inspector arrested.
Speaking at a media briefing in Colombo today (29), ASP Wootler stressed that no police officer would be shielded if found to have acted unlawfully, engaged in antisocial conduct, or become involved in illegal activities.
The officers suspended in connection with the Homagama incident include the Officer-in-Charge of the Homagama Police Headquarters, the Officer-in-Charge of the Crimes Division, a Vice Officer-in-Charge attached to the Narcotics Division who assisted in the raid, and a police constable.
ASP Wootler said Sri Lanka Police had launched a comprehensive investigation into the incident. A special investigative team from the Western Province South Division has been assigned to the inquiry under Section 125 of the relevant Ordinance, under the direct supervision of the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
Investigators are collecting evidence relating to the day before the incident, the day it occurred, and the following day. The evidence is to be presented before the Magistrate’s Court.
A Sub-Inspector has been arrested in connection with the death, based on the findings of an investigation conducted by the Colombo South Division. Further legal proceedings are underway.
The spokesperson acknowledged that despite repeated instructions from the IGP aimed at preventing deaths and injuries involving suspects in police custody, incidents of this nature continue to occur due to negligence by certain officers. He said steps would be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Homagama case was discussed at the briefing alongside other recent incidents involving suspects who died or sustained injuries while in police custody.
In a separate incident in Kobeigane, a suspect died after being admitted to the Kurunegala Hospital. According to ASP Wootler, police arrested the suspect after receiving information about a person who had been tied to a tree. Police later received information that several civilians had assaulted the suspect, leading to the arrest of three civilians. A separate investigation into the incident is underway.
Meanwhile, regarding cut injuries sustained by three suspects in police custody in Trincomalee, Police Spokesperson ASP Wootler said a report had been requested from the officer in charge of the relevant division.
The Police Spokesperson reiterated that officers found responsible for wrongdoing would face legal and disciplinary consequences, regardless of their position within the force.
