LISTEN TO STORY
WATCH STORY
By: Isuru Parakrama
February 19, Colombo (LNW): Five people have been remanded in custody following a disturbance near the Mattala interchange of the Southern Expressway, where a dispute with police officers escalated and was later shared widely on social media.
The group had been travelling in a private bus returning from a pilgrimage to Kataragama when officers stationed at the interchange prevented the vehicle from entering the expressway, citing the absence of seat belts. A heated exchange ensued between those on board and the officers on duty, resulting in a tense situation at the scene.
Police investigations revealed that a video of the confrontation was recorded on a mobile phone and subsequently circulated online. In the footage, members of the group are seen behaving in a disorderly manner, obstructing officers in the execution of their duties and, according to police, allegedly directing insulting and abusive remarks at President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
The five suspects were initially taken into custody by officers attached to the Peliyagoda Traffic Division and later handed over to the Hambantota Police through the Katana Police. They were produced before the Hambantota Magistrate’s Court and ordered to be remanded until February 20. An identification parade is also expected to take place.
In a related development, three police officers who were on duty at the interchange at the time of the incident have been transferred with immediate effect. The Officer-in-Charge has been reassigned to Police Headquarters, while a Chief Inspector, a Police Sergeant and a Police Constable have been moved to other stations.
The transfers were made on the instructions of the Deputy Inspector General in charge of Traffic and Road Safety, reportedly due to the failure to initiate legal action at the scene.