The much-publicised assault on a top official of the Department of Inland Revenue — a case tasked for CID detectives and later probed by a hundred strong Police team -- is being sent back for further inquiry by the Matara Police.
They will examine whether the matter could be resolved, like most other assault cases, by the Mediation Board of the area.
The Sunday Times learns that the move follows instructions from Police Chief Mahinda Balasuriya. As revealed in the Sunday Times of August 22, he had earlier taken up position at the Matara Police when one of the largest police teams probing an assault case got to work.
Matara’s Deputy Inland Revenue Commissioner H.M. Denzil was assaulted by a group of unknown persons on August 11. Police say the incident occurred when he was leaving from work one day. Two unknown persons had boarded the same bus he was travelling in. When he alighted to walk towards his home, two more had joined and assaulted him.
This is one of the rare occasions when a high-level investigation is being reverted to the area Police. Investigations into the incident were first carried out by the Matara Police. Thereafter, when there was little progress, the Police Chief entrusted it to a team of CID detectives.
As the CID probe got under way, trade unions in the Department of Inland Revenue complained that there was no progress. They threatened strike action. The move prompted the Police Chief to detail a 100-strong team that included more CID detectives and policemen.
A businessman was arrested by detectives whilst five other suspects surrendered.
They have been remanded by Matara Chief Magistrate Udesh Ranatunga. |
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