Pallewela OIC transferred over claims of failure to act against illicit liqour brewers

The officer in charge (OIC) of the Pallewela police station has been transferred to the Kalutara (South) police division over allegations of failure to act against illicit alcohol manufacturers in the area, Police said.

The transfer of OIC Kamal Rathnayaka had come in the wake of 11 reported deaths which area residents claim had been caused as a result of consuming illicit alcohol last week.

Issuing a  statement, Police Spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara said that the Gampaha Crimes Division is conducting an investigation into the deaths of these individuals.

So far, post-mortem examinations have shown that the victims had died of natural causes.

Meanwhile, the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) at the Police Headquarters is probing the OIC’s conduct over the matter and the action he had taken against illicit alcohol brewers in the area.

Area residents allege that the OIC had failed to take action over the matter.

The Police Spokesman further said that this case has been brought to the attention of the Police Legal Branch director to determine whether the OIC had committed an act of criminal negligence.

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