Kegalle Magistrate calls report on hospitalised cops:
Law & Order
Shavini Madhara and Bulathkohupitiya group corr.
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Former Kegalle Police Division Senior Superintendent (SSP) K. B. Keerthirathne, who was arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of a protester during a protest in Rambukkana on April 19, was ordered to be remanded till May 6 by Colombo Additional Magistrate Shalani Perera yesterday.
The Additional Magistrate visited the SSP at the Narahenpita Police Hospital yesterday and ordered that he placed in remand custody until May 6. Criminal Investigations Department arrested SSP Keerthiratne while he was being treated at the Narahenpita Police Hospital. The Kegalle Magistrate’s Court had earlier issued an order directing the Inspector General of Police to arrest of all police officers involved in the shooting.
The Rambukkana protests erupted over delayed petrol deliveries and sharp new price increases in petrol and diesel announced on April 18.
On Tuesday, the 19th of April 2022, demonstrators blocked main roads and a railway line.
Police began directing tear gas at thousands of protesters in the afternoon and then suddenly, without warning, opened fire with live rounds.
Chaminda Lakshan, a 40-year-old father of two from Naranbedda, a village near Rambukkana, was shot. He died soon after being admitted to Kegalle hospital.
The Kegalle Magistrate yesterday ordered a medical report on the condition of the four suspects who are being treated at Narahenpita and Kundasale police Hospitals through Colombo and Kandy Judicial Medical Officers.
The Magistrate made this Order when the Criminal Investigation Department informed Court that the four suspects including SSP K. B. Keerthirathna who were alleged involved in the shooting in Rambukkana are receiving treatment under police protection.
When the case was taken up before the Kegalle Magistrate’s Court, the CID informed Court that the SSP in question and other suspects were arrested and they are being treated at police hospitals in Kundasale and Kandy.
The Magistrate also ordered a forensic report on the uniform worn by the suspects on this particular day as gun powder emanates backward during a shooting.
Attorney Sri Lal Dayananda appearing for the victim’s interest told Court that the Police have also started following MPs who get admitted to hospitals when they face legal issues.
Attorney Priyantha Deniyaya appeared for the police officials while Attorneys Rukmal Bandara, Chanuka Wijesinghe, Ureka Wimalajeewa appeared for the aggrieved party. The case is to be taken up on May 2.Meanwhile the Magistrate yesterday ordered a medical report on the condition of the four suspects who are being treated at Narahenpita and Kundasale police Hospitals through Colombo and Kandy Judicial Medical Officers.
Saturday, April 30, 2022 – 01:15
