Youth killed by police in Pasyala -- Updates

Officer who shot and killed Pasyala youth .... bailed out
Fine .... 5000
Attanagalla Magistrate yesterday (17) stated that the death of Pasyala youth from a police gunshot did not amount to homicide according to investigations and that it had happened because the suspect had used the firearm in a negligible manner; finally, the suspect, constable Welagedera was released  also on a cash bail of Rs. 5,000.

The Magistrate gave the verdict yesterday in relation to the Magisterial inquiry into the death after taking into consideration all available evidence.

The Magistrate further said that this death was the result of excessive bleeding after considering the Medical Officer's reports and that the internal organs of the body have been damaged because of a bullet from a firearm that had pierced the chest. At the moment when the accident took place, Samith Chathuranga who was travelling with the deceased on the motor bicycle had stated that when the incident happened there had been a congestion on the road and that the motor bicycle had been halted  because of a police signal and that the suspect  had fired by pressing the pistol into the deceased's arm-pit region, the Magistrate finally remarked.

Further, the Magistrate said that the person testifying had clearly mentioned that on the occasion when the incident took place there had been about 5 police officers.The Magistrate further stated that according to evidence of others, there was no congestion on the road at that moment and the gap between where the police officer was and the place where the motor bike fell was about 100 metres in difference as revealed by their evidence.

The Magistrate who took into consideration all evidence presented gave the verdict that this death was not observed as a case of homicide and that this happened because of mishandling of the firearm by the suspect.

The Magistrate ordered the police to forward observations of the Attorney General in relation to this incident of October 20th.

Six individuals testified in this case at the Magisterial inquiry yesterday on the death in relation to the incident. As such, evidence has been recorded from 6 witnesses

Subsequently, the suspect Police Constable (53411) Welagedera was ordered by the Magistrate to be released on a personal bond of Rs. 2 lakhs and a cash bail of Rs. 5,000.

Information -- Mayuri Perera / Sisira Kuruppuaarachchi
                 Previous news item regarding the incident, from HERE