Don't allow policemen in civvies to stop vehicles; Acting IGP issues directive after fatal shooting
In the aftermath of a fatal shooting of a father-of-three in Narammala by a police officer in civvies, Acting Inspector General Deshabandu Tennakoon has issued instructions to all police stations not to stop vehicles for inspection while police personnel are in civilian attire.
Speaking to the media after visiting the family of the victim, Mr Tennakoon said instructions were issued with the aim of avoiding a repeat of Thursday’s unfortunate incident. The Acting IGP also handed over Rs. 1 million as compensation on behalf of the police to the family of the deceased.
The victim, K.A. Roshantha Kumarasiri (40) was a carpenter by profession and had about 10 others working under him. Area residents described him as a resourceful person who had built a small carpentry business for himself through sheer determination, enabling him to later provide employment to other young people in the area. He was popular in his village and was the father of twin daughters and a son.
Mr. Kumarasiri died instantly when the pistol of a SubInspector (SI) was discharged when the SI and a constable, both attached to the Narammala Police stopped a lorry driven by the victim on
Thursday night. Both the SI and the Constable were in civilian attire at the time and they had allegedly flagged down the lorry. They had given chase to the lorry when it failed to stop, forcing it to halt. It is alleged that the weapon was discharged when the SI was attempting to search the victim.
The two officers had allegedly tried to flee the scene after the shooting but were apprehended by angry bystanders. They were later taken into police custody. Residents later protested in front of the Narammala Police Station, causing damage to the station’s gate and property. The Special Task Force (STF) was subsequently called in to restore order.
The SI who was responsible for the shooting was produced before the Narammala Magistrate, and he was remanded until January 23. Both he and the constable involved in the shooting have been interdicted.