Seventeen police officers on immediate transfer
Suraj A Bandara and G. Sirisena ( Dikwella Group
Corr)
Seventeen police officers including the OIC of the Dikwella Police,
had been immediately transferred to the Matara Police Headquarters,
following a clash that broke out between the police and residents of the
area, who were rehearsing some dance items for the Poson Perahera
organized by the Dayaka Sabha of the Dikwella Temple.
The clash which took place at around 3 am, had resulted in three
persons being admitted to the Matara General hospital with serious
injuries, while some others with minor injuries had been admitted to the
Batheegama and Tangalle hospitals. The injured had been identified as
members of the Kawadi dance troup and a hired music group.
The police had arrived at the scene, following a complaint lodged by
a resident of the area, that a group of people said to be practising for
the Perehera had been causing a disturbance.
The residents of the area yesterday, carried out a massive protest
against the police attack on on the people of the Dikwella fishery
village and demanded that all police officers involved in the attack be
punished, by blocking the main road and interrupting the traffic along
the main road. Southern Province Fisheries Minister D.V. Upul,
Devinuwara, SLFP organizer Kanchana Wijesekara, Dikwella Pradeshiya
Sabha Chairman Krishali Muthukumarana and Thihagoda Rajamaha Vihara
acting Chief Incumbent Ven. Liyanwela Sumanasiri Thera attempted to calm
the protestors, but to no avail. Matara SSP Deshabandu Thennakon who
arrived at the scene, promised to conduct a full inquiry and punish
those found guilty without bias, brought the situation under control.
Thihagoda Police OIC Inspector Amararathna, has been transferred to
Dikwella police, while the other officers from Gandara, Kamburupitiya,
Weligama and Thihagoda, were transferred to the Dikwella Police.
The Police Special Task Force (STF) were deployed for Perahera duties
with instructions to be vigilant.
Matara Police headquarters and Dikwella Police are investigating. |
