Katunayaka FTZ incident:

No deviation from law against violence - Acting IGP

Chamikara Weerasinghe

Acting Inspector General of Police N K Illangakoon yesterday assured that due action will be taken against police officers who were taken into custody over the Katunayaka Free Trade Zone incident.

He said they produced the two police personnel, who were taken into custody by the police for allegedly attacking FTZ employees during their protest, before courts and were remanded. Asked if the incident reflected the brutality of police officers who were present at the protest, the Acting IGP said that the Criminal Investigation Department is probing the incident.

”There will be no deviation from the law against police officers or anyone for violating law and order and causing violence,” he said .

The FTZ employees had vehemently opposed the government’s proposed Pension Bill before they staged the protest .

Asked if the police would take stern action against those who perpetrated violence at the protest, he said appropriate legal action will be taken against those who were responsible.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has reportedly instructed Illangakoon to submit a full report on the incident within a week.

A CID team is preparing a report on the incident, Illangakoon said.