Connect with us

News

Police ordered to video record when taking suspects to locate hidden weapons!

Published

on

The Attorney General has informed the Supreme Court yesterday (03) that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) has prepared a series of guidelines which include measures to be taken to reduce the cases of suspects arrested by the police being killed when they are taken out for investigation purposes such as locating hidden weapons.

Based on a notice issued by the court earlier, IGP C.D. Wickramaratne appeared in the court yesterday where Additional Solicitor General Nerin Pulle, who appeared on behalf of the IGP, informed this to the court.

Accordingly, the President of the three-member Supreme Court Judge Bench, Justice Buwaneka Aluwihare addressed the IGP and said the court issued orders to prepare a series of guidelines in order to establish the rule of law and to safeguard the trust placed in the Police Department.

The Judge thanked the IGP for preparing and submitting the guidelines to the court and informed the IGP to issue necessary instructions and orders to the officers to implement them in an effective manner.

The following points are included in the series of guidelines submitted to the court.

• Protecting the life of an arrested suspect should be the prime responsibility of the police officers and even in cases of an illness, they should be given necessary treatment.

• Serious consideration should be given to the security of suspects arrested in connection with dangerous criminal cases such as being involved in organized crimes, narcotics, murder, and terrorism.

• When such suspects are in custody, Chief Inspectors should ensure their safety and the Sub Inspectors should check on the suspect every half hour and make notes.

• The officers should handcuff the suspects when they are being taken to the places where firearms are hidden and the officers should conduct the search operation in the presence of the suspect.

• Police officers should video record all such cases and such videos can be used as evidence against a suspect. If any incident occurs, the video will help maintain the transparency of the incident according to the guidelines.

• In no case should a suspect be subjected to physical or mental torture to obtain confessions. Arrangements should be made to allow the suspect’s next of kin and the lawyer to meet them when necessary.

• The lawyers should be given maximum support to protect the rights of suspects.

The IGP has issued an order to all the police stations that from now on, the officers must follow these instructions when taking the suspects out of police custody for investigation purposes. If any officer is found to have violated these instructions, strict disciplinary action will be taken against them. 

Delivering the verdict in a petition filed by Fathima Sharmila, the wife of suspect Mohammad Irfan who was killed when he was taken out by the Slave Island Police for investigation in 2008, the Supreme Court ordered the IGP to prepare a series of guidelines to prevent such incidents from happening in the future and submit them in the court on March 24.

However, when the petition was taken up in court on March 24, the set of guidelines was not submitted to the court.

Accordingly, the Supreme Court issued a notice to the IGP to appear in court yesterday to show cause as to why the guidelines were not submitted.

The IGP appeared in the court yesterday and informed that the guidelines have been submitted to the court.

(Source – Aruna)

News

Kataragama chief custodian & grandson missing during Tiran’s visit

Published

on

By

The chief custodian (Kapu Mahattaya) of the Ruhunu Kataragama Devalaya and his grandson (who is currently the custodian in charge of the Devala store room), have disappeared from Kataragama, reports say.

Last week, the Attorney General instructed to arrest the duo over a 38-pound gold offering that had gone missing from the Devalaya. The offering had been made by the wife of former underworld leader – Angoda Lokka.

Accordingly, the chief custodian – Dhurandara Somipala Ratnayake and his grandson – Saman Priyantha or Chuti Kapu Mahathaya, who is in charge of the temple’s storeroom, are to be arrested.

Meanwhile, the duo had not turned up when the Acting IGP – Deshabandu Tennakoon and Minister of Public Security – Tiran Alles had visited the Kiri Vehera and Kataragama Devalaya on Dec. 09 for religious observances.

Only 03 other custodians had been present at the Devalaya during that time.

A custodian had informed higher officials that the duo had recently left for another province, with plans to appear in courts through lawyers’ intervention and amid political support.

Related News :

Chief custodian of the Kataragama Devalaya to be arrested

Continue Reading

News

Consumer Protection Act to be amended to prosecute rice hoarders

Published

on

By

The Consumer Protection Act (CPA) is to be amended in a bid to prosecute rice hoarders, reports say.

The current provisions of the CPA only allows officers of the Consumer Affairs Authority to inspect and prosecute persons and institutions who sell at higher prices.

It does not empower the CAA officers to prosecute persons hiding rice or other foodstuffs or to inspect such places.

This has been discussed at a Cabinet meeting and the state owned ‘Daily News’ reports that necessary amendments of this Act will be submitted to the Cabinet next month.

(Source : dailynews.lk)

Continue Reading

News

Fairly heavy rains today as well

Published

on

By

Occasional rains are predicted for the Northern, North-central and Eastern Provinces, the Department of Meteorology said.

Showers or thundershowers are likely in the remaining areas of the island after 1:00 pm, a Duty Meteorologist of the Met. Department said.

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2023 Sri Lanka Mirror. All Rights Reserved