Govt. updates P’ment on Police shooting in Kataragama

The Law and Order Ministry yesterday confirmed to Parliament the action taken to investigate the recent police shooting in Kataragama at a motorcycle which failed to follow instructions to stop.

Assuring transparency of the investigations conducted by several police teams, including the Criminal Investigations Department, Law and Order State Minister Piyasena Gamage had stated the post-incident protests and mob attacks on public property were defused effectively. 

 “A police constable and his assistant from the Civil Defence Force were on night patrol on 20 January. They had seen a motorcycle driven from the town by about 10.55pm. They had signalled to stop the motorcycle by using a special signal light. The riders instead of stopping the cycle had continued to ride shouting at the police, which led the constable to open fire using his revolver. The rider and the pillion rider were found injured and were admitted to the hospital. Unfortunately, the rider succumbed to his injuries. However, the pillion rider who had minor injuries had fled from the hospital on the same night. The body was released to the relatives,” explained Gamage.

Revealing the efforts of certain elements to get political advantages from the incident, Gamage said: “The respective constable was arrested and remanded till the conclusion of investigations. Based on the instructions of the IGP, the finding of the investigations was submitted to the CID. However, on the night of 21 January, a group led by former Chairman of the Kataragama Pradeshiya Sabha pelted the police station damaging vehicles and state property.”

 “Based on the damage assessment report due, action will be taken against the culprits under the Public Property Act. Subsequently, the same group staged a protest blocking the road. The police arrested 45 males and 13 females involved in the protest using the provisions of the Penal Code section 323, section 140, section 183, section 314, section 344, and several other laws. Apart from these people, 36 motorcycles, eight three-wheelers, and seven cycles were taken into police custody for being used in the protest. The arrested persons were bailed later,” he added.

Bringing the attention of the House to the police shooting in Kataragama which had led to some unrest in the area, Chief Opposition Whip (JVP) Anura Dissanayake told the Parliament that similar shootings were seen during the recent past and that the police should establish a proper method to stop motor vehicles.

“On the night of 20 January a police constable attached to the Kataragama Police Station has opened fire, killing a motorcyclist who was employed in the Kataragama Pradeshiya Sabaha. The people visited the police, which escalated into a conflict which led to the arrest of 50 persons involved, including some females. Police held that the motorcycle evaded the instructions given to stop. However, the pillion rider and the eye witnesses held that the motorcycle which was about to be stopped was shot. Anyway, a series of similar incidents were reported during the past. People lose their lives in the absence of a proper signal used by the police to stop a vehicle led. It is fair that people are taking to the road,” said Dissanayake. (AH)