Sagala defends cops in Embilipitiya skirmish

By Ashwin Hemmathagama – Our Lobby Correspondent

 The controversial death of a youth in Embilipitiya and the police raid on party came up in the Parliament yesterday where opposition lawmakers accused law enforcement authorities with brutality and the illegal application of the law.

 Minister of Law and Order and Southern Development Sagala Ratnayaka sought to set the record straight on the ongoing investigations, rejecting the charges against the police and media reports.

 “A party was held in the particular building on the 16th January. Police visited the building based on the complaints neighbours made. There have been 100 people at the party. A fight has taken place between the people in the party and the police officers. The person who succumbed to his injuries was first admitted to the Embilipitiya hospital and to the Ratnapura Hospital,” Minister Ratnayake told the House.

 He said that although initial investigations was conducted by Embilipitiya police, the investigations were not being conducted by two senior DIGs under the guidance of the IGP.

 “The Embilipitiya police and the people who took part in the party hold two different opinions. When instructed to stop the loud speakers, the policemen were attacked. Additional police officers have come to support the officers who were attacked,” the Minister noted.

However, he said that those in attendance at the party were claiming that the Police had come in requesting a few bottles of arrack, and being refused had attacked the revellers.

“But investigations have revealed the use of loud speakers without a permit and the complaints from neighbors. The person who died has tried to jump out from the third floor. The police deny pushing him off the 3rd floor,” added Minister Rathnayaka who promised a detailed report soon after the ongoing investigations were concluded.