News
Unrest in Lunawa over police shooting of fisherman
There were scenes of anger and grief in the Lunawa area in Angulana yesterday after a 39-year-old father of four was shot and killed by police.
The victim, Amith Karunarathna, a resident of Lunawa, was a fisherman who had been on his way to sea from the Lunawa lagoon on Friday night. Two three-wheelers carrying him and four friends, along with their fishing gear, were stopped by three officers from the Angulana Police near the Lunawa bridge.
According to police and witnesses, an argument had erupted between the victim and the policemen when they attempted to check the vehicle revenue licence.
Senior Deputy Inspector General Deshabandu Tennakoon visiting the area last afternoon to calm the angry residents
Police claim the victim tried to attack an officer with a rock, leading him to fire his weapon. At least four witnesses who claimed to have seen the incident, however, told journalists that while an argument did take place, police shot the victim as he turned to leave. The body was taken to the Colombo South Teaching Hospital where an autopsy is to take place.
A tense situation erupted after the shooting, resulting in extra police being deployed around the Angulana Police station as angry residents gathered to protest the killing. A riot squad unit was also brought into the area, but there was no violence.
Senior Deputy Inspector General (SDIG), Western Province, Deshabandu Tennakoon visited the area last afternoon in a bid to calm tensions. He visited the victim’s house and expressed regret over the incident. The SDIG also promised the victim’s family and residents of the area that a thorough and impartial investigation will be conducted into the incident, and that stern legal action will be taken against the officer involved in the shooting – if it is found that he had committed an offence.
One of the victim’s sons told SDIG Tennakoon that the policemen involved had abused his father in filth, and that his father had been struck several times by angry officers when the victim protested being addressed in such a manner.
He pointed out that his father was only making his way to work and urged the SDIG to ensure that his father received justice.
SDIG Tennakoon in turn, assured that justice will be served. He also claimed that drug dealers and other interested parties were planning to use the incident to stir up trouble in the area and urged relatives of the victim not to allow the matter to be used to incite a riot. He also stated that they intended to look into the welfare of the victim’s children.