April 17, Colombo (LNW): A 31-year-old Excise Officer from Wariyapola has been arrested by the North Western Province Unit of the Computer Crime Investigation Division. The arrest followed a complaint to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) alleging that the officer distorted the popular New Year song ‘Soorya Mangalya’ by Rohana Beddage and shared it on social media.
The song, which holds cultural significance and is traditionally played during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year celebrations, was reportedly altered by the suspect who resides in Thalathuoya. The investigation was swiftly initiated leading to the suspect’s arrest at the Wariyapola offices of the North Western Province Unit on April 16.
The suspect is scheduled to be presented before the Kuliyapitiya Magistrate’s Court today, April 17. This case highlights the legal implications of misusing digital platforms to alter culturally significant content.
