• Inquiry under SSP Embilipitiya

The Police stated that two teams have been deployed by Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Embilipitiya to investigate an alleged incident in which a police officer attached to the Sooriyakanda Police Station was reportedly assaulted by National People’s Power (NPP) Ratnapura District Parliamentarian (MP) Shantha Pathma Kumara Subasingha.

Speaking to The Daily Morning, Police Spokesperson and Assistant Superintendent of Police, attorney F.U. Wootler said the two teams were tasked with investigating whether any assault or intimidation occurred. “We will review the findings of the inquiry and decide on further action,” he added.

The officer attached to the Sooriyakanda Police alleged that he was assaulted by Subasingha and several others when he was returning home after work. It was reported that he is receiving treatment at the District General Hospital in Embilipitiya. According to the complaint, Subasingha and the group arrived in a vehicle, assaulted the officer, and issued threats.

The injured officer had recently participated in a cannabis raid conducted by the Sooriyakanda Police on a plot of land reportedly belonging to the father of the MP’s wife. During the raid, a 24-year-old resident of Thalagahawatte was arrested for cultivating two cannabis plants and fined Rs. 3,000 by the Additional Magistrate. The land where the plants were grown is believed to have been leased to the arrested suspect by MP Subasingha’s father-in-law.

It is also reported the MP has lodged a separate complaint with the police regarding the officer.