Four suspects arrested, released on same day without recording any statement

By Yoshitha Perera   

Four suspects who were arrested in connection with creating anti-Muslim riots on May 12, 2019 in Kuliyapitiya after Easter Sunday attacks, had been released on the same day without recording any statement, former Kuliyapitiya HQI Nadeera Sampath yesterday informed the PCoI probing Easter Sunday attacks.   

Testifying before the Commission, the witness said that on May 12, 2019 four individuals had been arrested for allegedly damaging a few shops owned by Muslim businessmen.   

Former Kuliyapitiya HQI said that he had received death threats from several individuals related to the four suspects who were in custody.   

Earlier, several Police officers attached to Minuwangoda, Hettipola and Bingiriya divisions informed the Commission that they had to release suspects who were arrested in connection with anti-Muslim riots without conducting any inquiry.   It was also informed to the Commission that the Police had still failed to file a charge sheet to the relevant Magistrate Courts regarding to the incident. 

•  They had to release suspects who  were arrested in connection with anti-Muslim riots without conducting  
• any inquiry