The 17-year-old cricketer who assaulted and killed an employee of Bloomfield Sports Club is under probation.

Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama ordered that the 17-year-old minor cricketer, who was arrested in connection with the incident of assaulting and killing an employee of Bloomfield Cricket Club, Colombo 07, be further remanded in probation until the upcoming 24th.

This suspect student, a resident of Liyanagemulla area, Seeduwa, was placed under probation after being arrested by Kurunduwatta Police and produced before the court.

On August 08th, a group including this suspect student, who were engaged in cricket practice at the Bloomfield Sports Complex, went near the water tap to drink water. Due to the absence of water, an argument ensued with the sports club employee. There, the 62-year-old employee attempted to assault one of the players, and during the prolonged argument, when an attempt was made to assault this 17-year-old student as well, the student assaulted the employee. The employee, named Sumith Fernando, a resident of Moratuwa area, who was injured in this assault, passed away on the 10th after being admitted to the Colombo National Hospital.

Medical reports indicating that the deceased was a heart patient have been presented to the court. To ascertain whether this death was caused by the assault or by an existing medical condition, a post-mortem examination was conducted at the Colombo National Hospital. There, the judicial medical officer has given an open verdict regarding it, and steps have been taken to send body parts to the Government Analyst for further examination.

Meanwhile, Attorney Senaka Perera, appearing for the 17-year-old suspect student, informed the court that his client is a person with mental disabilities. The lawyer also revealed that the suspect student is currently receiving treatment at Ragama Hospital, having been assaulted by another child with mental disabilities while detained at the Makola detention home.

There, the Chief Magistrate, commenting, emphasized that normal children and children with mental disabilities should be kept separately in the detention centers under probation. As it appears that this assault occurred as a result of not acting in such a manner, the Chief Magistrate ordered the probation officers to investigate the matter and submit a report to the court.