Embilipitiya Sumith's final rites performed under heavy police security ...

Embilipitiya Sumith's final rites performed under heavy police security ...

with the attendance of a large gathering

The final rites of Sumith Prasanna Jayawardena who died after being admitted to hospital having sustained injuries having been pushed down from a top-storeyed building during a brawl that ensued
with the police in the course of a party held yesterday (10) in Embilipitiya and a large gathering was observed at the funeral at Embilipitiya New Town Cemetery.

Because of the above tragedy, public displeasure was aroused against police officers and anticipating some aggression by the public during the last rites of the deceased, processions and the dead body being brought near the police station had been prohibited under instructions of Embilipitiya Magistrate. Liquor outlets in the town too were closed yesterday. A petition was signed by over 3000 persons demanding that those responsible for this death be taken to book was also signed yesterday.

The Special Task Force was called to strengthen the security in the city while the point of access to the road where the final rites were being performed also was blocked. A large number of crowd including MP Namal Rajapaksa and Secretary of Ravana Balaya, Iththekande Saddhatissa Thero were present on this occasion, it was reported.

Sumith Prasanna Jayawardena was a father of one child. He was a resident of K.S. Building New Town, Embilipitiya. He had won the hearts of everybody and was someone who had been earning his living for sometime by hiring vehicles. He had been to Iraq in the year 2011 on a job stint and after coming back having served there for 2 years had started a small business here. Sumith had been living with Sashika Nishamani (28) and only daughter Teshani (8). The pet name with which he was known by everyone was 'Podi Veda'.

His death came about unexpectedly during the course of a conflict that took place with the police during a party. Sumith and his wife had been helping at a puberty ceremony at a three-storeyed house in front of their house on the 4th of this month and he had participated in a get-together party held in the night with some friends in the house. On this occasion the police who arrived on the scene had assaulted this crowd. Sumith's wife who was a witness to the scene said that Sumith who committed no offence too was assaulted with batons and was pushed down the balcony. Sumith who sustained serious injuries was admitted to Embilipitiya Basic Hospital and later transferred to Ratnapura General Hospital after which he passed away on the morning of last 8th.

His burial took place yesterday (10) at Embilipitiya New Town Cemetery amidst the wailing of a huge crowd. Over 3000 people signed a petition accusing the Embilipitiya Police saying that they were responsible for the death of Sumith Prasanna. Security had been tightened throughout yesterday by officers of the Police Special Task Force in Embilipitiya town and also the route leading to deceased Sumith's house.