Ex- cop suspected in attack on Rohingya refugees surrenders to police

A former police constable who allegedly took part in the attack on a group of Rohingya refugees who were under the care of the UNHCR at a safe house in Mount Lavinia surrendered to the Colombo Crime Division (CCD) yesterday.

The police earlier this week sought public assistance in arresting the interdicted police officer named Prageeth Chanaka Gunathilake of Wadduwa, and the National Coordinator of the Sinha Le group Ven. Arambepola Rathanasara Thera of Purwarama Temple in Kelaniya. The suspects are part of a Buddhist monks-led mob that attacked the safe house and harassed a group of 31 Rohingya refugees including 17 children on 26 September.

Six suspects have already been arrested and remanded in connection with the incident.

According to the police headquarters three cases are in trial in the Panadura Magistrate’s Court against the former police constable. Two of the cases are over an attack on a mosque and the other for threatening the Principal of Panadura Balika Vidyalaya.

Gunathilake was produced before the Mt. Lavinia Magistrate’s court.