Any calls have not been made to the police emergency number 119 by the area residents of Embilipitiya as claimed by the police media Spokesman on the night of 4 January, Minister of Law and Order Sagala Ratnayake says.

The observation was made by the Minister in response to a query made by JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayaka at the Parliament this afternoon (27).

Earlier, police Spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara said that a police patrolling team was dispatched to the location that day due to an emergency call made by an area resident. 

However, Minister Ratnayake added the preliminary investigations have disclosed that it was the police themselves who made calls to the Assistant Superintend of Police (ASP) to inform the incident. The Minister also went on to say that several calls have also been made to the police emergency number to report the clash between the police and area residents.

Earlier, former Legal Secretary of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) Nimal Punchihewa also slammed at the Spokesperson over his failure to show a proper sense of responsibility in making comments with respect to the incident.

The former Legal Secretary also severely criticised the manner in which the Spokesperson dramatically made the comments. “The Spokesperson attempted to cover-up the case. However, that should not be his role as a Spokesperson,” Punchihewa said.

The clash involving the group of policemen and several civilians attending a function at a residence resulted in the death of a youth and injuries to several others.

The death of the man had triggered a harthal and protests after angry mobs set fire to tires on the roads at the Embilipitya Town. It has been reported that two policemen had allegedly asked for liquor from the homeowners after the start of a house party and the ensuing argument between villagers and the police officers had escalated into fisticuffs.