Inspector of Police (IP) Neomal Rangajeewa and Prisons Commissioner Emil Ranjan Lamahewa, who were arrested over the Welikada Prison clashes in 2012, have been further remanded until April 24.
When the case was taken up for hearing today (10), the Colombo Additional Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake, based on a request from the defence attorneys, ordered the Prison Superintendent to present both defendants before a legal psychologist and to submit a report.
The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) informed the court that investigations are continuing based on information uncovered by witnesses.
Attorneys representing Emil Ranjan Lamahewage accused the CID of not seeking the Attorney General’s advice before arresting the suspects. However, the magistrate stated that he does not believe it is essential to seek the AG’s advice before every arrest is made.
The attorneys also claimed that the jailor who has testified against their client has a personal dispute with their client due to several issues including not nominating former’s name to the position of chief jailor.
Meanwhile the attorney representing IP Neomal Rangajeewa, who has helped arrest several drug traffickers, has been arrested based on the evidence provided by individuals connected to the drug trade.
He stated that if the CID acts in this manner, police officers would not be able to discharge their duties.
However, the CID informed the court that the suspects were produced before the court as there was sufficient evidence for their arrest.
IP Rangajeewa of the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) was arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) on March 28 over the alleged killing of inmates at Welikada prison during the clashes in 2012.
Lamahewa, who was the then Prisons Superintendent in charge of the Magazine Prison and currently Prisons Commissioner (Rehabilitation), was arrested by CID at his official residence at No. 142, Baseline Road, Colombo 9 the following day.
Twenty-seven inmates were killed and more than 20 other injured in deadly shooting during the Welikada Prison riot on November 9, 2012 when prisoners took control of the populated prison objecting to an unannounced search by the Special Task Force to nab hidden arms, drugs and mobile phones at the prison.
