No interference in probe of Police Constable’s tragic death in Colombo

7 October 2023 06:02 am - 38 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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There will be no interference or involvement of top police officers in the investigations into the death of a police constable who was run over by an SUV at Independence Square roundabout in Colombo, Western Province Senior DIG Deshabandu Tennakoon said.

The 25-year-old police constable, Manoj Priyankara attached to the Cinnamon Garden Police Station Traffic Division succumbed to injuries last morning while receiving treatment at the Colombo National Hospital.

Police arrested the 28-year-old man who drove the jeep over the fatal accident.

It was reported that the suspect, who was speeding at the time, had failed to control the speed of the vehicle and run over the police officer who was on duty.

Police said the driver is a technical engineer of a private company and a resident of Narahenpita area.

He is reportedly the son of a volunteer obstetrician and a gynaecologist at the Police Hospital for many years, who was later conferred the rank of Deputy Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP).

Senior DIG Tennakoon said that his mother is also a doctor.

Addressing concerns about the suspect's potential involvement with higher-ranking police officers, Senior DIG Tennakoon dismissed such claims, stating that the suspect's father had indeed served at the Police Hospital many years ago but is now a senior citizen at the age of 72. He emphasised that there would be no interference in the ongoing investigations.

The deceased constable is a resident of Walasmulla.

Meanwhile, the constable was posthumously promoted to the rank of Sergeant. (Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya)

Comments - 38

Truth Saturday, 07 October 2023 06:29 AM

Ironically, drivers of high end vehicles. private busses and three wheelers have the same mind set.

Rohan Saturday, 07 October 2023 06:00 PM

Acknowledgement that the standard is interference. But not in this case it seems.

Tissa Fernando Saturday, 07 October 2023 06:36 AM

Ha ha, contacts and contacts, the suspect will go free and the police man will be at fault after the investigation. The suspect may have many uncles in the senior ranks.

DOT Saturday, 07 October 2023 06:38 AM

The law

lankaputha Saturday, 07 October 2023 06:45 AM

No Doubt since the best Drug dealers says so

jothika Saturday, 07 October 2023 07:34 AM

Standard Operating Procedure, 28 year old will be replaced with another 28 year old or a prisoner who just got released and sent back into jail, nobody will know

DP Saturday, 07 October 2023 07:38 AM

It was a pity of this untimely death.. the driver was had no intention nor was under the influence of liquor. Police are just trying to make a story that they a genuinely doing some work.

Neel.Ahamed Saturday, 07 October 2023 10:58 AM

Yes, it will consider as normal case or accordingly to police headquarters its bad luck of the thisbyoung constable. Extremely Not FAULT of the driver. He is innocent! The case is over. This Srilanka no.Law or order.

Terrence K Saturday, 07 October 2023 07:42 AM

Your past history shows your interference in many cases and acted partially against the public who were helpless since you were in the good books of the ruling Politicians where you exercised strong arm tactics above the law and these misdeeds were overlooked by the Rajapakse Regime. With the search for an IGP you will be able to score some BROWNIE POINTS (misdeeds to please your bosses)

r.j. senanayake Saturday, 07 October 2023 07:45 AM

pl conduct a medical test to ascertain whether the driver was under the influence of a drug,medical or otherwise.Hard to believe that a twenty year old lad would fall asleep at the wheel,at that time.lifestyle habits of many educated young persons would spring many surprises if the police make an effort to do the relevant tests

Mahila Sunday, 08 October 2023 10:36 AM

He may have been kept busy working by selfish employer or his yearning - IMPRESS EMPLOYER!!! Alternatively, kept busy all night by a younger spouse of and with great enticement!!!??? Or sleep ap•noea??? Who Knows, specially noting fact - HE IS 'TECHNICAL' Engineer??? Lucky enough not Medical, Neuro or Medical Engineer!!!??? This special category of Engineering is not very well known - not me - as we simpletons believe ALL Engineers are 'TECHNICAL', w/o saying explicitly!? Entirely different, in this case!!!???

Lola Saturday, 07 October 2023 08:02 AM

ANY ONE ASKED FROM YOU HIS FAMILY STORIES. PLEASE DO THE NECESSARY ACTION.

Be Fair Saturday, 07 October 2023 08:24 AM

Was there a technical issue? To.me it was not speeding as such?

Mahila Saturday, 07 October 2023 09:04 AM

"…..Who was speeding at the time, had failed to control the speed of the vehicle and run over the police officer" That's reckless driving AT THE LEAST EVEN WITHOUT HITTING a Human being!!!??? Promoting posthumously to ‘Sargent’ is supposed to be the Panacea of all ILLS, beseeching the Police Department and Traffic Maladministration in SL, importantly the bereaved Family!!!?? The SIGNS are there of a COVER-UP!!!??? In any other country in the western democracies the "Minimum CHARGE LAID ON THE DRIVER OF ALLEGED VEHICLE", would be none other than RECKLESS

Roberta Flack Saturday, 07 October 2023 09:20 AM

While this statement is very welcome that interference will not be tolerated it’s laughable that somebody like Western Province Senior DIG Deshabandu Tennakoon, who manipulates anything and everything for the powers that be is saying this. We saw a full display of his biases during the Argalaya. Goes to prove that the great laws of this country is only for the public but not for the politicians. #sosrilanka

P.P.Jeganathan Saturday, 07 October 2023 11:14 AM

Police do not arrest people for high speed driving in Colombo. This is most probably due to high speed and the driver couldn't control the vehicle. Police should arrest people driving at high speed specially during night time.

Ram Saturday, 07 October 2023 11:47 AM

SDIG Deshabandu admits indirectly, that Police investigations can be influenced. He is unfit to be in the Police force.

CitizenP Saturday, 07 October 2023 12:54 PM

No interference means.. there had been interference before...

Nilmini Welivita Saturday, 07 October 2023 12:59 PM

The driver comes from such a distinguished family he should be pardoned and let go but with a strong warning.

Hora lokka Saturday, 07 October 2023 01:01 PM

Deshabandhu only interferes when a politicians son or a politician is the perpetrator.

Bandu Saturday, 07 October 2023 01:12 PM

Is the SDIG's statement that no interference here means in others he admits interference takes place.

Onlooker Saturday, 07 October 2023 01:15 PM

Only in our Paradise Isle that we have 'impartial inquiries' and cases with 'no interference'. There are cases otherwise as Ministers and SDIGs admit publicly.

Rip Winkle Saturday, 07 October 2023 01:35 PM

And do you seriously believe anyone will believe anything someone of your reputation will say?

Ram Saturday, 07 October 2023 01:41 PM

A person aspiring to be the next IG is unfit for the position when he concedes that interference is the norm in Police investigations and on this matter no interference

DW Saturday, 07 October 2023 02:09 PM

There have never been any political interference in Sri Lanka.

Joshua Saturday, 07 October 2023 02:29 PM

Ha haa who says that? Expect zero justice

Spartacus Saturday, 07 October 2023 03:30 PM

So in this case no interference, whereas in other cases it has happened. Only Sri Lanka State Officials make fantabulous statements like this showing the shit inside the system.

Karalasingam Sivalingam Saturday, 07 October 2023 04:58 PM

Over speeding and reckless driving in Colombo - 7, is unacceptable, Young, consable to die on duty at 25 years is a crime, l call upon all police men in SriLanka to contribute Rs. 200/=, each to the family of the victim, philanthropist to contribute at least ten million to the victim's family. May his soul reach nirvana.

Tissa Fernando Saturday, 07 October 2023 05:34 PM

@Nilmini Welivita, 'distinguished family' does not entitle members of such families to kill people on the road through reckless driving. Such families should set an example to the others by abiding the law and by driving their fancy vehicles at speeds permissable by law as well as as per road conditions. In this case he may probably have many uncles in the senior police ranks, he is likely to go free with dome bull shit argument like yours.

Mahila Sunday, 08 October 2023 12:49 AM

There has been past instances of such entitlements, especially Family from DEEP South and well distinguished to say the least!!!???

Buddhist Saturday, 07 October 2023 07:28 PM

A senior police officer who does not care about human lives saying that the parents of the driver are doctors does not bring the dead to life. Legal action must be taken against the driver and not only that if the senior police officer is involved in sweeping this crime under the carpet he should be intradicted and investigated immediately.

DOT Saturday, 07 October 2023 09:39 PM

You have NO right to interfere for any case.

PK Sunday, 08 October 2023 07:44 AM

In Australia, when a high ranking person commits a crime, the punishment is severe than that an average citizen would receive. This is partly because they want to to paint a picture that no one is above the law.

Mahila Monday, 09 October 2023 01:59 PM

PK, In addition to that, FOREMOST reason being that the Person in the higher Position must be more knowledgeable than those he overlooks in their work, as otherwise, they are deemed unfit for occupying that SUPERVISORY position!!!??? Hence, that higher position authority, deemed as having committed the act/misdemeanour with, 'Full-Knowledge of the ramifications, repercussions of his action compared to that of his Junior officer!!!???

Mohamed Adham Sunday, 08 October 2023 12:30 PM

Deshabandhu will interfere even against his own Police force member. He is a most corrupt individual and should no longer be in the Police department but Tiran wants his fan boy to be the IGP.

Mahila Monday, 09 October 2023 11:56 PM

There must be a SPECIAL reason to retain when up to NO GOOD AT ALL!!!???

Ismet Zaheed Tuesday, 10 October 2023 05:05 AM

The driver of the vehicle is reported to be the son of a high ranking officer in the police force. Innocent until proven guilty! Case closed.

Lal Tuesday, 10 October 2023 08:49 AM

A lesson to all motorists. Especially youngsters. So sad for to hear the demise of this young officer on duty.

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No interference in probe of Police Constable’s tragic death in Colombo

Comments - 38

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