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

Landslide warnings issued for 07 districts

Published

on

By

The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has issued landslide warnings for seven districts due to ongoing adverse weather conditions.

A Level-2 warning has been issued for the Ayagama and Ratnapura areas in the Ratnapura District.

Level-1 warnings have been issued for the following Divisional Secretariat Divisions:

  • Colombo District: Padukka
  • Galle District: Elpitiya
  • Kalutara District: Walallawita, Agalawatte, Palindanuwara, Bulathsinhala, and Mathugama
  • Kandy District: Ganga Ihala Korale
  • Kegalle District: Yatiyanthota, Deraniyagala, Dehiowita
  • Nuwara Eliya District: Ambagamuwa
  • Ratnapura District: Pelmadulla, Eheliyagoda, Nivitigala, Kuruwita, Elapatha, and Kalawana

Continue Reading

News

Showers expected in parts of the island today

Published

on

By

Showers have been predicted at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern and North-western provinces today (June 16), according to the Department of Meteorology.

Fairly heavy rains above 50 mm are likely at some places in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in the Nuwara-Eliya, Kandy, Galle and Matara districts.

A few showers may occur in the Northern province and in the Anuradhapura district as well.

Strong winds of about 40-50kmph can be expected at times over the Western slopes of the central hills and in the Northern, North-central, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and Northwestern provinces and in the Trincomalee district.

The general public has also been requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds.

Continue Reading

News

19-yr.-old dies after hotel elevator collapses

Published

on

By

Moratuwa Police launched an investigation after a 19-year-old youth had died after an electric elevator at a hotel collapsed on June 14.

The deceased is a resident of Arukgoda in Panadura, and was an employee at the Bolgoda Hotel in Moratuwa.

According to reports, the elevator, which was reportedly designated solely for the use of hotel employees, had given away when the youth was inside, injuring him critically. He was rushed to the Panadura Base Hospital but was pronounced dead upon admission.

The management of the hotel has lodged a complaint with the Moratuwa Police regarding the incident. Further investigations are underway to determine the exact cause of the elevator collapse.

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 Sri Lanka Mirror. All Rights Reserved