The Inspector General of Police Pujith Jayasundara has ordered all investigations in to the recent clashes leading to unrest in Kandy should conclude by April 10 (Tuesday). According to Police spokesperson SP Ruwan Gunasekara all investigations files relating to the incident will have to then be forwarded by relevant Officers in Charge to the IGP by April 15.
“The files will thereafter be handed over to the Attorney General’s Department for further action” SP Gunasekara said. However the spokesperson also said that officers in need of more time for investigations could request for an extension in writing to the IGP.
The Police have arrested 226 individuals up-to-date under the suspicion of instigating and taking part in the violence that engulfed the Kandy district recently. While these suspects were arrested from the Kandy district another 114 persons were arrested from other areas across the island for engaging in violent acts relating to those in Kandy. Among the arrested are two Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) local government councillors of the Kundasale Provincial Council.
Communal unrest spread through Kandy district last month following a personal clash between a Sinhala lorry driver and a group of Muslim youth which led to the driver’s death leading to an outbreak of violence in Kandy.