RATHUPASWALA YOUTUBE ISSUE

Police investigation over Youtube video in which an officer says ....
what the magistrate did not say!

     A police officer had announced an incorrect statement to the public when the public displayed their opposition on an occasion prior to the incident which took place on 1st August in Weliweriya. The incorrect statement which he had uttered mentioning the designation of the Magistrate had been revealed across the Youtube on the website. The Gampaha Chief Magistrate Mr.Tikiri Jayatilleka yesterday ordered that an investigation be carried out in that respect.

   This video had been uploaded to Youtube on July 28th and the person who did so had identified himself with the pseudonym 'Rathupaswala'. What the Magistrate said yesterday was that an appeal was directed to him to close down the factory which was connected to this protest by the people of Weliweriya and that a police officer with stars on his uniform had told the public that he had rejected the appeal, as seen on this video.

   Gampaha Chief Magistrate Mr.Tikiri Jayatilleka yesterday (08) issued orders to the CID, Colombo that this information which had been released to the Youtube in the internet is a serious matter and requested them to report after checking the video and finding out who had so misled the public when he had not made such a statement. This order was issued at the Magisterial inquiry conducted in connection with those who died when cordoned in the clash that occurred. The Chief Magistrate who said that the point which the police expressed is an incorrect one as seen in the video and that when the incident was presented to courts through an 'A' report, no such appeal was forwarded; therefore requested that an immediate investigation be conducted how such a statement to the contrary be issued without responsibility. He further said that because of this incident,some form of suspicion could be created in the minds of the public and also that certain media had published wrong ideas about the magistrate, similar to ideas seen on the Youtube video. The Chief Magistrate further ordered the Director of CID, Colombo to report to courts all facts concerning the above issue.

   This video which had been uploaded on July 28th to the Youtube also carried the statement 'for the attention of the authorities'. The relevant Youtube can be seen below. The said high-ranking police officer says that the Magistrate did not give permission for the factory to be closed, as can be observed on the 6.24th second of the video.

See the video.