17 June 2020 10:41 am
Tarinda Ratwatte, who allegedly drove the Defender involved in an accident on June 11, killing PC Sithum Alahapperuma, is currently under quarantine at the Negombo Pallansena Youthful Offenders Training Centre, a senior prison official said.
Denying reports that Ratwatte had been transferred to the Prison Hospital, the official said the suspect is in a cell at the Pallansena prison as an ordinary inmate.
“People, who are found guilty of various offenses during the pandemic period, are sent to the Pallansena prison for a 14-day quarantine period. They will later be sent to respective prisons accordingly,” he said.
Former minister Rajitha Senaratna who was arrested over the white van incident was imprisoned at the same facility as Ratwatte.
The driver of the Defender, Tarinda Ratwatte (24) was arrested over the accident. Initial investigations revealed that the suspect was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident. (Sheain Fernandopulle)