Police Headquarters have begun an inquiry into the conduct of two police officers who were involved in the death of a mentally disturbed person in Bambalapitiya 10 days ago. Heading the internal disciplinary inquiry is the Colombo Deputy Inspector General, H. M. D. Herath.
“The Colombo Crimes Division is conducting inquiries under the instructions of the Attorney-General’s Department,” Police spokesman, DIG Nimal Mediwaka, told the Sunday Times.
“We will see what our investigations reveal. Only after that can we take disciplinary action against the two officers,” DIG Mediwaka said. “Meanwhile, we are waiting for the results of forensic tests that will determine whether the victim’s death was caused by assault or drowning. The Judicial Medical Officer [JMO] has sent samples from the post-mortem to the Peradeniya Medical Faculty and the Government Analyst’s Department for testing.”
On the afternoon of Thursday, October 29, Telshan Networks Pvt. Ltd captured on video camera footage of two police officers beating 26-year-old Balawarnan Sivakumar, said to be of unsound mind, in the sea off Bambalapitiya.
The video showed Mr. Sivakumar being brutally beaten by two persons carrying poles, while a large crowd gathered on the Bambalapitiya rail tracks gazed on. The video showed Mr. Sivakumar gesturing to his attackers to stop beating him.
The two men were identified as Sub-Inspector Vijendra Weerawardena and Police Constable Dimuthu Somnas. Both men were arrested and handed over to the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD).
Some 40 eyewitnesses have been questioned in connection with Mr. Sivakumar’s death.
The Colombo Fort Magistrate has ordered the CCD to further remand the two police officers till November 13. |
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