Welikada Police Officer-in-Charge, Chief Inspector Channa Anuradha has been transferred to Police Field Force Headquarters in connection with the death of a domestic aide following assault within the police station.
She had been taken into custody illegally regarding the loss of a gold ring while working at teledrama producer and businesswoman Sudharma Nettikumara’s house. This transfer had been implemented on the Police Commission approval based on written request made by the Inspector General to the Public Security Ministry Secretary.
The IGP had also interdicted a Sub-Inspector, two Police Sergeants and a constable alleged to have been involved in the assault and illegal detention on May 20. In addition, two Women Police Constables and another Constable have been transferred from the Welikada Police Station to Colombo North, Colombo South and Colombo Central Divisions respectively.
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has launched an extensive investigation into this assault incident and the subsequent death of the domestic on the IGP’s orders. Police Headquarters information said action will be taken against these officers under the Prevention of Cruelty and Torture Act.
Information from the CID states that it is apparent from investigations carried out up to now that the police had inhumanely assaulted this woman domestic employee.
It has also been revealed that subsequent to the assault and the woman being admitted to the Colombo National Hospital she had died there. The complaint in the police book regarding the theft had been noted down by the Welikada police, according to information revealed, after the death of the woman. The CID is focusing special attention to find out why the police acted in this illegal manner and on whose requirements.
When the Welikada police was preparing to cover up this incident and indicate that the woman had died of natural causes, the IGP based on information received from various factions and internally from the police, had assigned the responsibility of the task of carrying out a preliminary investigation to the Police Special Investigation Unit. It was only then that many details such as the illegal arrest of the domestic servant, assaulting her, noting down the complaint regarding the theft only after the woman died, was revealed.
Subsequent to the Police Special Investigation Unit handing over their report to the IGP, he had requested the Public Security Ministry Secretary to interdict certain police officers, and transfer others as well as to transfer the Welikada Police OIC.
Investigations into this death were handed over to the CID and are being carried out by a team of officers comprising an Assistant Superintendent of Police of the CID and several police officers are to be taken into custody in connection with this death, in the near future.
This assault had taken place on May 11. Since various information is being received that the complainant had been at the police station when the assault was taking place the CID is also focusing special attention on it while carrying out further investigations, a top-ranking police officer said.
Monday, May 29, 2023 – 01:00Breaking
Lead