Six Police Officers Remanded Over Alleged Assault on Priest

COLOMBO (News1st): Six officers from the Crime Investigation Bureau of the Gampaha Division, who were arrested in connection with the alleged assault of a Catholic priest, have been remanded until 29th of January. 

The order was issued by Gampaha Chief Magistrate Seelani Perera when the case was called today. 

The arrested officers were not produced in open court. However the Magistrate ordered to present the suspects for an identification parade on the 29th of January. 

President’s Counsel Neville Abeyratne, appearing for the victim, informed the court that the Catholic priest is still receiving treatment in the hospital.

The suspect officers were arrested yesterday following a formal complaint lodged by the priest. They were initially remanded until today after being produced before Gampaha Acting Magistrate Amarani Mudalige.

According to the Police Media Spokesperson, the incident occured on the night of 24th of January when officers had ordered a motorcyclist travelling along the Kirindiwita toward Udugampola to halt the vehicle. 

Police claim the motorcyclist failed to heed police orders, resulting the officers to persue the motorcycle. 

After the police managed to halt the motorcycle, a verbal altercation broke out between the officers and the 33-year-old motorcyclist who has been identified as a priest. 

Following the encounter, the priest admitted himself to the Negombo Hospital, alleging that the police officers had assaulted him.