Attack on Nipuna Ramanayake, SLIIT student:

Court remands 11 police personnel

Sarath Malalasekera

The Crime Division conducting investigations into the alleged assault on Malabe SLIIT Student Nipuna Ramanayake yesterday produced eleven suspects, all police personnel, three Sub Inspectors, a Police Sergeant and seven Police constables, before the Kaduwela Additional District Judge Mahanil Prasantha de Silva and remanded them till August 31.

Crime Division DIG Anura Senanayake who appeared for the prosecution with SP Neil Hettiarachchi submitted to court that the 12th suspect Ravindu Gunawardena, son of former CCD Director Vaas Gunawardena, had been warded at the Colombo South Hospital under the supervision of the Police.

The suspects will be produced before an identification parade on the next date, August 31.

DIG Senanayake said that when the incident was reported to the Police headquarters they immediately commenced investigations on the direction of IGP Jayantha Wickremaratne and arrested the suspects.

The Additional District Judge directed the Nugegoda Magistrate to inspect the suspect Ravindu Gunawardena at the Colombo South Hospital and submit a report to Court.

The Judge also directed the Police to forward his report to the Nugegoda Magistrate as early as possible and obtain a report.

The Additional District Judge inspected the 11 suspects who were produced at the court premises.

DIG Anura Senanayake filing a comprehensive ‘B’ report to court in connection with the incident said that they have recorded statements of six witnesses. The 11 suspects were in civil uniform at the time of the incident.The abducted student Nipuna Ramanayake had been blindfolded and taken in a police jeep by the suspects.

One of the suspects had assaulted the abducted student with a revolver. At this stage son of Vaas Gunawardena had telephoned his house and told the mother “Amma open the door I am bringing a gift for you.” At home the mother had also assaulted the student, the DIG submitted to Court.

Some people had later applied balm and ice on the injured student. While passing the Borella Castle Street hospital colour lights, the injured student had seen Senior SP Vaas Gunawardena in the front seat of the jeep.

DIG Senanayake said that the injured student had been taken to the CCD and a statement recorded. But the injured student had refused to sign it, because it was not his statement.

The injured student had been abducted at about 12.45 p.m., but the police team had arrived at the CCD at 1.30 p.m. None of the CCD officers are involved in the abduction and assault, the DIG said.

DIG Senanayake: Immediately after the incident Senior SP Vaas Gunawardena was transferred to the Police Headquarters by the IGP.

Additional District Judge: He was only transferred, no action was taken against him.

DIG: Investigations are being conducted according to the evidence before the police.

DIG Senanayake said that the 80,000 Police Force in the Department, cannot be blamed for the wrongdoing of one person.

Answering the Judge the DIG said that the son of Vaas Gunawardena had been warded at the Colombo South Hospital under Police custody.

Senior Defence Counsel Asoka Weerasuriya moved Court to grant an early date to conclude the proceedings. He thanked DIG Anura Senanayake for the lengthy submissions to court about the incident.

The parents of the injured student Nipuna Ramanayake were also present during the proceedings.

Attorney Hemapala Ekanayake watched the interest of the injured student’s parents.