Video: CID identifies three in connection with OICs death

20 March 2014 11:33 am

Three individuals have being identified by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in connection with the death of Borella OIC Prasad Siriwardena who succumbed to his injuries after a tree cut down by protesters fell on to him in Thunnane, Hanwella.

Another 23 persons have also being identified in connection with the clashes which took place in Hanwella.

CID took over the investigations from the Padukka Police in the aftermath of the incident.

Three CID teams are investigating into the incident where they are probing who blocked the road, who is behind the death of the OIC and damaging of public property.

So far the investigators have recorded 31 statements over the series of incidents which took place in Thunnane on Saturday evening and Sunday morning. Chainsaws used to cut down several trees have also being recovered by the police.

Police Spokesman SSP Ajith Rohana said that they will be arrested in due course and by gathering more vital evidences it would lead to arrest more suspects.

OIC Siriwardena succumbed to his injuries after a rubber tree cut by protesters fell on him during the unrest in the Thunnane area in Hanawella on Saturday night.

His funeral was held on Wednesday at the Borella Cemetery.

More than 1,500 policemen including personnel from the elite Special Task Force (STF) in order to bring the situation under control and to maintain security in the area. (Supun Dias and Sanath Desmond)