Attack on law student: AG directs IGP to arrest police officers & produce before courts

The Attorney General (AG) directed the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to arrest all suspected police officers at the Peliyagoda Police station over the assault on Migara Gunaratne and to produce them before Court on charges under Penal Code and Torture Act, an official from AG office said.

Earlier the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) called on the Inspector General of Police and the Attorney General to take legal action against the policeman responsible for the alleged assault on a third year law student inside the Peliyagoda police station. which has left the student with serious injuries.

The letter was sent as the victim Migara Gunaratne was warded at the Ragama hospital after being seriously injured in the alleged assault by policemen on Thursday night. This had happened when he came to the police station to hand over a parcel of food to a suspect in custody.

Police on Friday submitted a B report to the Colombo Magistrate’s court seeking to remand the victim on the grounds of obstructing police duties.

Last week Police have accused Migara Gunaratne of criminal intimidation and obstructing the duties of the Police.

However, Additional Magistrate Lochana Abeywickrema turned down the request on the grounds there was reason to remand him and fixed the case for tomorrow. The Magistrate also requested the Wattala Magistrate to visit Mr Gunaratne at the Ragama hospital and submit a report.

The victim was produced before the Judicial Medical Officer S. Wijegunawardena on Thursday night. The Police had informed the JMO they were to remand him, but in view of the injuries suffered the JMO had ordered that the victim be admitted to hospital.