Borella OIC dies after Hanwella violence

Borella OIC dies .... 
from tree felled by protestors

Prasad Siriwardena, OIC of Borella Police who was present to bring order among aggressive protestors in
Hanwella area this morning (Mar 16) passed away when a tree felled by the protestors fell on his body pinning him to the ground.

The protest was against a rubber factory in Thunnana area in Hanwella and the OIC who was seriously injured was admitted to Avissawella Hospital where he succumbed to death.

OIC of police, Prasad Siriwardena of Gonawela, Kelaniya was 41 years old when he died and was the father of 2 children. It was learnt that severe damage was done to his spine and stomach area. Though several surgeries were performed on him at Avissawella  Base Hospital, he passed away after a few hours. Though a helicopter was sent to Puwakpitiya area to dispatch him to the National Hospital for further treatment, he had died even before he could get in.

Protesting near the Thunnana rubber factory had become an issue for some months and it was said that similar to the water issue which affected Rathupaswala residents, the same problem had affected residents in this area too because of waste matter in the factory. However, what the authorities have said was that since a court case is in progress in respect of this issue, a solution would be granted.Though people in the area have resorted to various ways and means to win the attention of the authorities in this connection, they had not received any satisfactory response from them. Hanwella police and a number of police stations around the area including the anti-riot squad came in to support to disperse the crowd who were protesting by obstructing the High Level road in Thunnana area. As such, the OIC of Borella Police with a team of police officers had joined in this case. Tension began to rise when police began to use tear gas and attack with water canons and the residents had begun to be provocative and disruptive, behaving in a violent manner, throwing stones etcetera at the police. On this occasion when the OIC approached a rubber tree which was being hewed down to create a blockade, it had fallen on his body, seriously injuring him after which he met with this unfortunate death., it was announced.

Four other police personnel are still under treatment at Avissawella Hospital.

It is also understood that 20 individuals have been taken into custody in connection with this incident.