Three police officers remanded until March 13 over Rathgama killings

The Galle Chief Magistrates Court yesterday (Mar 05) ordered three police officers to be remanded until March 13 over the abduction and alleged killing of two businessmen in Rathgama.

The suspects are the former OIC of the Southern Special Crimes Investigation (SSCI) Unit Saman Rohana. Sub-Police inspector Thilakaratne and Constable Upul Ranjith.

Meanwhile, Police Insepector of the SSCI Kapila Nishantha, sub-police inspector Viraj Madusanka, Constable Sanjaya Chanaka, and the Forestry Officer of the Kanumuldeniya forest reserve have also been remanded until March 13.

A total of seven suspects have been arrested in connection with the alleged killing out of which six are police officers. The other suspect who is a Forest Officer was arrested over charges of aiding and abetting the killing by identifying an area to burn the bodies in the forest reserve.

The Criminal Investigations Department has recorded statements from over 40 individuals over the incident.