News
Police face the music after party ends in deadly brawl
It was supposed to be a happy family dinner party in Embilipitiya but by the time it ended one person was dead, more than 10 injured, seven persons remanded and allegations made that police had brutally attacked the partygoers, including a pregnant woman.
The death sparked protests in Embilipitiya town
The party started shortly after dusk and went late into the night with dinner supplied by a caterer and music managed by a DJ.
Shortly after midnight a team of police officers visited the house; the party had been in full session with loud music playing.
Police claimed they had arrived because local residents had rung the 119 emergency number to complain that the music was too loud but members of the party claimed the police had demanded liquor and that an argument had broken out.
“Some of the party members argued that the music system speakers were inside the house and so they did not need police permission,” one partygoer said.
The police and the residents of the house had exchanged fisticuffs and the police had returned in greater numbers, allegedly armed with sticks, and beaten up the partygoers and they in turn had assaulted the policemen.
The scene of the party turned into a battleground with blood splattered on the walls, bottles and glasses broken, furniture damaged and food scattered over the floor.
Sumith Prasanna Jayawardena, 29, who lived nearby, had been one of the party guests. He was on the upper floor of the house when the clash had broken out and fell from there to his death.
Residents collecting signatures for a petition to be sent to the President. Pix by Yasitha Nalin Jayaweera
There are disputed claims about how Jayewardene fell. The house occupants say he was pushed and police claim he jumped.
The death sparked public protests with demands that President Maithripala Sirisena order an investigation into the incident.
On Friday night, residents began collecting signatures for a petition to be sent to the President.
“We are not satisfied with the action taken so far by the government. They have transferred the policemen who were on duty at the Embilipitiya police station that night. We need a transparent investigation,” the dead man’s sister, Anusha Subashini, said.
The Embilipitiya station inspector and 21 officers were transferred to other stations on Friday.
Prasanna Jayawardena’s brother, Dinesh Jayawardena, said in keeping with a magisterial order the family would not turn the funeral into a protest but would watch how investigations proceed to decide future action.
At least eight people, including four members of the family that organised the party, have been remanded until tomorrow after being produced before the Embilipitiya Chief Magistrate, Janaka Kekirideniya.
Embilipitiya police told court the police had initially called over at the house to order the family to turn down the sound system following complaints of loud music and on return had been informed that there was a clash in the house.
At that point, he said, police had been assaulted by the occupants and four policemen had been injured.
Attorney-at-law Vijitha Punchihewa, however, told court that the policemen who visited the house had asked for the licence to use loudspeakers and when they were told that no licence was required had tried to arrest the owner of the house.
Among those allegedly assaulted was Prasanna Jayewardene’s wife, who was pregnant
He said when other relatives had protested a large number of policemen had broken into the house and assaulted all inmates including women and children.
Among those assaulted was Prasanna Jayewardene’s wife, who was pregnant.
Mr. Punchihewa said that when the house owner went to the police to lodge a complaint he was taken into custody and remanded.
The incident has drawn the attention of the National Police Commission (NPC). “We have sought clarification about this incident from the Inspector-General of Police.
The IGP told us that the Senior Deputy Inspector-General of Police in the area, C.D. Wickremaratne, is preparing a report. He said that the report will be sent to the Commission,” NPC Secretary Ariyadasa Cooray said.
Police spokesman ASP Ruwan Gunasekera denied that the police had demanded liquor and said the Inspector-General of Police would decide what action to take when the police report into the incident is handed over.
Until the funeral is over the Special Task Force (STF) will be deployed, he said. About 300 STF policemen have been drawn in from nearby camps.
