The National Police Commission (NPC) has launched an investigation into an alleged assault committed by an Assistant Superintendent of Police on a detained protester during the riots that broke out in Hambantota yesterday (6). 

Secretary of the NPC Ariyadasa Cooray stated that discussions will be held on October 11, with regards to the alleged assault. 

Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesters opposite the Indian Consulate Office in Hambantota yesterday. 

The protest was organized by members of the Joint Opposition including MP Namal Rajapaksa, against the agreement to handover operations of the Hambantota port and Mattala airport to two foreign companies.

The protest was scheduled to be held near the Mattala Airport; however the venue was changed to Indian consulate in Hambanota after police had obtained a court order preventing any protests being held near the airport.
 
The protesters accused the government of attempting to sell state assets to foreign countries. 

The Police apprehended 28 protesters for unruly behavior and damage of public property during the protests yesterday (6). It was reported that a video of an ASP who was assaulting one of the arrested persons was documented by the media.   

It has been reported that the suspect who was assaulted was hospitalized after he sustained heavy injuries. 

Accordingly the National Police Commission has launched an inquiry into the incident to reprimand the Officer who committed the offence.