The Police Commission has ordered the Police Special Investigation Unit to immediately conduct a full investigation into the police team that violated basic responsibilities of law and morality by releasing a suspect’s confession to the media.
Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Western Province South, Gayanga Marapana, brought the young owner of a tattoo studio, the most important suspect arrested in connection with the murder of Club Wasantha and Nayana Vasala in Athurugiriya, before the media. The police officers in question presented the suspect in shackles, coerced him to confess, and shared his confession publicly. It is reported that the Police Commission has decided to take strict disciplinary action against the officers involved in this questionable action.
The Police Commission, which has strongly criticized the conduct of the police team, including this officer, questioned how these officers could behave in violation of the circulars issued by previous Inspectors General of Police that prohibit such disclosures about suspects.
It is reported that the Commission has instructed the Police Special Investigation Unit to conduct a full formal investigation within a fortnight regarding the officers responsible for the incident and forward the relevant report to the Police Commission.
Meanwhile, the court also focused on the police’s interference in filming the footage of an arrested suspect and broadcasting it through the media.
Kaduwela Magistrate Chanima Wijebandara rejected the police’s request to detain and interrogate the suspects. She ordered the police to visit the jail if necessary and obtain statements from the suspects.
She also ordered the jail officials to provide special security to the suspects as criminals considered to be followers of Big Patty are also in the jail. Meanwhile, from both government and opposition members of the parliament raised the concern on the behavior of the police and express their displeasure towards the police.
