Mentally unsound man's body washes ashore:

Cop arrested for allegedly beating victim

Rafik JALALDEEN

The body of the mentally unsound man who drowned in the sea off Bambalapitiya on Thursday was found yesterday morning. A Police Constable who allegedly beat the victim was arrested by the Colombo Crime Division.

Police spokesman Senior DIG Nimal Mediwake said B. Sivakumar (26), a resident of Ratmalana believed to be a mentally unsound man was throwing stones at passers by, vehicles and trains at around 11.10 a.m. on Thursday near the Bambalapitiya railway station.

Following a call to the police emergency, Bambalapitiya police had arrived at the scene. When police arrived, Sivakumar had run towards the sea as three people were chasing him.

"When these persons attempted to catch Sivakumar, he had jumped into the sea. It was reported that one of them had beaten Sivakumar with a pole. Therefore, he was unable to reach the shore and drowned," he added.

Sivakumar's body was washed ashore yesterday morning.

The CCD arrested a man who had allegedly beaten the mentally unsound man in the sea. "It was revealed that the suspect was a PC attached to Bambalapitiya police. The PC was arrested by the CCD," he added.

SDIG Mediwake said Sivakumar's brother identified the body and informed police that Sivakumar was a mentally unsound person and was admitted to the Angoda Mental Hospital three times.

Sivakumar was reported to have damaged several vehicles by throwing stones. A person had lodged a complaint at the Bambalapitiya about damaging his vehicle. The CCD is investigating.