JVP alleges foul play, govt. promises probe

*Embilipitiya killing 

By Saman Indrajith-January 13, 2016, 8:38 am

Law and Order and Southern Development Minister Sagala Ratnayake told Parliament yesterday that there was no evidence to prove the allegation that the youth who died recently after being injured in a clash with the police had been plunged off the upper floor of the house where the incident occurred.

Responding to a series of questions raised by JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the minister said that investigations into the incident were in progress and he would make a statement in Parliament once the investigations were over.

He said there had been a clash between policemen who arrived at a party following complaints from some members who had been disturbed by the noise at a party attended by the victim and others. The deceased, Sumith Jayawardena, had been injured as a result of the clash and he succumbed to his injuries after being admitted to hospital. Further investigations were in progress under the supervision of the HQI of Ratnapura police.

There were discrepancies in the statements so far made by the police, eye witnesses and the supporters of the victim. According to police they had tried to explain to the revellers that they were violating the law by making loud noises which caused neighbours to stay awake. The police personnel came under an attack. According to the supporters of the victim, the police kicked up a row when their request for two bottles of arrack was not granted. No permit had been obtained for the sound system. There was no evidence to prove the allegation that the victim had been pushed off from a balcony by policemen. There was an eye witness who had seen the victim fall off the balcony.  The death could not be considered a killing as no post mortem had been done yet, the Minister said

He said, "We as a government regret the unfortunate incident and are determined to hold an impartial investigation."

JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake: It is a case of ‘baduth hamuduruwange, naduth hamuduruwange’. (The judge happens to be the offender.) The victim is not a Spiderman to jump from three-storeyed building after breaking windows. The statement made by the Minister is aimed at protecting the police. The minister is not expected to read out a statement prepared by police. It is highly doubtful that the investigations will be impartial.

Minister Sagala Ratnayake: I will make a complete statement to the House once the investigations are over. I will look into the accounts by both sides in the conflict when preparing my statement.

Earlier in the day, the JVP leader making a special statement on the incident said that the public perception was that the police did not abide by the law. Some policemen had brought the entire department into disrepute.

The MP demanded to know whether the government would pay compensation to the victims and implement the law against those accused of the death and what action the ministry of law and order would be taking to prevent the recurrence of such incidents in future.