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Manhunt intensifies for Ampara suspects after pill turns to flour
With the Government Analyst debunking a claim that ‘sterilization pills’ had been found in meals served to customers at an Ampara eatery, police have intensified the hunt for those who used the claim as a pretext to launch a mob attack on Muslims in Ampara town.
On Monday, Police arrested four persons. They were produced in the Ampara Magistrate’s Court the next day, and remanded till March 19. After the Government Analyst’s report said on Thursday that the substance found in the meal was “starchy food matter”, Police are continuing efforts to track down the main suspects.
The Government Analyst determined there was no chemical component in the sample sent to the department. It was earlier alleged that ‘sterilization pills’ were found in the meal, and that these pills were introduced in the meals given to Sinhala customers. The story had spread rapidly in the Sinhala dominant town and surrounding areas, prompting an angry mob to attack several Muslim-owned businesses and a mosque and vehicles. Police could not bring the situation under control and had to call in reinforcements, especially the Special Task Force (STF), to restore order.
The authorities later sent the food sample containing the alleged ‘pills’ to the Government Analyst for testing.
Government Analyst A. Welianga told the Sunday Times that his department tested the sample within four days and reported its findings to police, as this was a matter of national importance. Aside from testing the sample to determine whether it was indeed some sort of medical pill, other tests were also done to determine the sample’s composition. After the tests, the Government Analyst Department had conclusively determined that the sample was composed of nothing but “starchy food matter.”
Meanwhile, Ampara District Secretary Thusitha P. Wanigasinghe said state valuation officers had inspected the properties which were attacked to assess the damage. While valuation activities were ongoing, complications had arisen with regard to the payment of compensation as those who occupied the buildings and operating businesses were tenants.
“The owners of the buildings have rented them out to others. So, we have to assess damage caused to the buildings and damage caused to goods inside separately,” he explained.
He, however, said this would not be an issue so long as an inventory of what was inside was available in records given to police. The Government had anyway given an assurance that it would pay compensation for the damage caused and repair the buildings, he pointed out.
Nearly two weeks after the incident, security continues to be tight in Ampara in view of the subsequent violent incidents in Kandy and the declaration of a State of Emergency to quell the violence. There is a strong police and Special Task Force (STF) presence in the area. The army is also assisting in security arrangements after being mobilized under emergency regulations.