Minister of Law and Order and Southern Development, Sagala Ratnayake has recommended that the Acting OIC of the Sapugaskanda Police be transferred till the completion of investigations into the incident that occurred between the OIC and Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) Western Provincial Councillor Asoka Ranwala at the Sapugaskanda Police station recently.
The Minister made the recommendation with the approval of the Commissioner of Election, Mahinda Deshapriya, after receiving a preliminary report regarding the issue from the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD). The report has identified the shortcomings of both parties, a source close to the Minister said, adding that, therefore, the transfer has been recommended.
The CCD was asked to hand over the preliminary report to Minister Ratnayake by 11 a.m. yesterday.
JVP Western Province Councilor Asoka Ranwala was arrested on Thursday night for allegedly threatening the acting OIC of the Sapugaskanda Police station.
He was produced before the acting Negombo Magistrate on Friday and remanded until January 19.
According to the police, Ranwala had visited the police station to inquire about the arrest of a youth who was later allegedly assaulted by the police. He had allegedly demanded the police to release the youth and when the acting OIC refused the request he is said to have threatened the senior officer
However, Ranwala alleges that he was assaulted by the Sapugaskanda OIC when he questioned about the arrest of the youth.