Weliweriya incident:top army officers relieved from posts
30 August 2013 04:26 am
Army Commander Daya Rathnayake has ordered to relieve a Brigadier and three Lieutenant Colonels from their appointments to facilitate the further inquiries on the Weliweriya incident as recommended by the Court of Inquiry, the army announced.
Military Spokesman Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasooriya said that those officers have been placed under respective regimental centres pending further disciplinary proceedings.
The statement issued by military spokesman Brigadier Wanigasooriya
1. In connection to Weliveriya incident that took place on 1 Aug 13 where Army was called in to assist police to disperse violent mobs, the Commander of the Army has ordered to relieve four senior officers of the Sri Lanka Army from their duties with immediate effect. They are the Brigadier who was in charge of the area and three Lieutenant Colonels who were his subordinate sector commanders. They will be attached to respective Regimental Centres until further notice.
2. Meanwhile the Director Legal, who is the Chief Prosecutor of the Army, examines the report of the Court of Inquiry further and will order a Summary of Evidence against any person who has violated the Military Law as a preliminary step of prosecuting such person through a Court Marshal.
3. The Commander of the Army has also declared that the Army's assistance to the Police at Weliveriya has been only after a clear request made by the police and is well within the legal framework and is also in line with the provisions of the Public Security Ordnance.
4. The Commander of the Army has also ordered all concerned to extend maximum possible cooperation, being a disciplined force, to carry out ongoing investigations by the Crime Detection Bureau as well as Hon Magistrate Court of Gampaha. He has further directed to take action against military personnel according to the Army Act after the final outcome of the ongoing judicial process.
5. A board of senior officers has been appointed to study the findings of the court of inquiry as well as other relevant reports/details and make recommendations as to how similar situations, particularly with regards to Army's involvement, could be averted in the future.