Allegations that the dead body found in the Gin River was a police killing

The police inspector who served as the OIC of the Crime Investigation Division at Karandeniya Police Station has been interdicted from duty in connection with an incident where an attempt was made to falsely implicate a team of officers, including an Assistant Superintendent of Police, in the murder of Viraj Rashmika de Silva, whose body was found floating in the Gin River. This step was taken, effective from July 19, based on numerous disciplinary violations, including the release of photos and videos to social media in a manner that damages the reputation of the police.

This interdiction was carried out by Matara Assistant Superintendent of Police Kariyawasam, following a preliminary investigation conducted under the instructions of Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police for the Southern Province, Mr. Wasantha Kithsiri Jayalath. It has also been informed that a formal investigation should be conducted against the said police inspector for making false entries in the information logbooks of Karandeniya Police on May 28, implying that the death in question was carried out by a group including Acting Director of Galle Crimes Division, Assistant Superintendent of Police Namal Perera, as well as for neglecting to solve serious crimes and including unnecessary information in police records.

A video had been posted on a person's Facebook page, implying that officers of the Galle District Crime Division were responsible for the body found in the Gin River. The video included photos of a broken pole on a wall within the Galle District Crime Division premises and a room inside the dining hall where items are stored. Investigations have revealed that these photos were taken by a chef at the Galle District Crime Division using a mobile phone, at the request of the said police inspector, and sent to him via WhatsApp.

Following the revelation of this information, steps were taken to interdict the OIC, and further investigations into the matter are being conducted under the direction of Senior Superintendent of Police Lucky Randeniya, acting on the instructions of Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police for the Southern Province, Mr. Wasantha Kithsiri Jayalath.