Those who videotaped the Kotavehera police operation and posted it on social media arrested

A 47-year-old resident of the Palugolla area has been arrested by the police in connection with an incident where he obstructed the duties of police officers engaged in a drug raid within the Kotavehera Police Division, video recorded the event, and released it to social media. A special investigation was launched to identify five individuals behind the recording and dissemination of these visuals, and accordingly, a team of officers from Nikaweratiya Police arrested this suspect yesterday (23) afternoon.

This incident originated on May 16th. On that day, during a raid conducted by Kotavehera Police in the Palugolla area, two youths aged 19 and 28, who were in possession of a small quantity of 'Ice' drug, were taken into police custody. These two suspects, residents of the Mahauswewa area, were released on bail after being produced before the Nikaweratiya Magistrate's Court on May 17th, and later, on May 21st, they were fined Rs. 5,000 each after pleading guilty.

However, on May 16th, when the two suspects were arrested and being taken to the police station, five residents illegally gathered, obstructed police officers, committed criminal force, and video recorded the confrontational situation. 

The police have since revealed that these visuals were falsely portrayed as another incident that occurred in the Deraniyagala Police Division and circulated via social media. The police are currently conducting extensive investigations to arrest the other four suspects involved in disseminating this video while obstructing the duties of police officers.