Police respond to claims over Suriyakanda incident involving NPP MP

The Sri Lanka Police have issued a further statement regarding the incident involving a police constable attached to the Suriyakanda Police Station and National People’s Power (NPP) Member of Parliament Shantha Padmakumara.

According to the police, the suspended police constable and his wife, who were attached to the Suriyakanda Police Station, have made statements to various media institutions expressing critical views of the Sri Lanka Police in connection with the incident.

Police also clarified that the individuals who allegedly assaulted the police constable and stole his motorcycle have not yet been arrested. However, they rejected claims that no investigations were carried out into the complaint made by the officer.

The statement notes that further investigations are currently being conducted by the Kolonna Police Station and the Embilipitiya Divisional Criminal Investigation Bureau regarding complaints lodged by the police constable and his wife at the Kolonna Police.

Police further said that on the night of the incident, officers on mobile night patrol duty from the Kolonna Police Station visited the location and initiated preliminary investigations. The police constable’s motorcycle was recovered and taken into custody from the scene.

Statements have been recorded from the police constable, his wife, and two other individuals. In addition, the Police Unit at the Embilipitiya Hospital issued a Medico-Legal Examination Form to the officer.

Regarding investigations carried out by the Embilipitiya Divisional Criminal Investigation Bureau, police said that statements have been recorded from three residents living near the location where the alleged assault took place, as well as from ten individuals, including the person who transported the injured officer to hospital.

Police also confirmed that steps have been taken to obtain CCTV footage from a residence near the scene of the incident, and a statement has been recorded from the homeowner. The matter was reported to the Embilipitiya Magistrate’s Court on the 22nd, and further investigations are ongoing under the Embilipitiya Divisional Criminal Investigation Bureau.