IGP orders probe on arrest of popular author

An investigation has been launched on the instructions of Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasuriya into an incident where popular author Kasun Mahendra Heenatigala was arrested and allegedly mistreated by the Athurugiriya Police.

The probe will be conducted under the supervision of the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) in charge of the Colombo-South Police Division, Police Spokesman Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) K.B. Manathunga said.

Mr Heenatigala, who is the husband of actress Madhavee Anthony and son-in-law of late actor Jackson Anthony, claims that he was arrested on Friday (20) evening by three men in civvies claiming to be from the Athurugiriya Police while coming back from a grocery shop near his home in Habarakada. He claims that the officers arrested him on the grounds that he did not have his National Identity Card with him.   

Mr Heenatigala alleges that the officers took him to the Athurugiriya Police and that two officers held his arms in an inhumane manner while transporting him to the station in the police three-wheeler. He adds that both he and his wife, who is caring for their infant child and who arrived at the police station after he phoned her, were verbally abused by the Officer-in-Charge of the Athurugiriya Police and other officers. He added that he was released after more than two hours.

Police Spokesman SSP Manathunga said the investigation will be conducted to determine if the officers involved had acted in violation of the law during the incident and that if the probe determines this to be the case, action will be taken against them.