The Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) has arrested four individuals in connection with the road rage incident in Kalagedihena this week where a driver was attacked by individuals who appeared to be VIP security personnel. One suspect identified as Marcus Peter Ruwan Prasanna (26) handed himself over to the CCD yesterday morning followed by a fourth suspect Sandun Pushpakumara (44) later in the day.
On Friday the CCD nabbed two suspects, the driver of the Defender involved in the attack Gamini Wijesuriya (45) and passenger Geeth Prasanna Bandara (32).
The Maharagama Police also took into custody a vehicle involved in the incident, a Landrover Defender bearing the number plate WP CAD 8850 and handed it over to the CCD for further investigations.
The CCTV footage and a mobile phone video recording of the attack went viral this week where a seemingly VIP Motorcade consisting of a Defender (WP CAD 8850) and a Toyota Landcruiser Prado (CAG 0550) was seen blocking the way of a van as a number of individuals who appeared to be VIP security personnel alighted from the Defender proceeding to verbally abuse and attack the van driver. It was reported the altercation occurred due to the driver of the van failing to give way to the motorcade. The incident had occurred in Kalagedihena, on the Colombo Kandy Road.
As the footage caused a public outcry, UNP MP Prof. Ashu Marasinghe wrote to Acting IGP Chandana Wickramaratne calling him to take tough action against those involved in the attack. The Police Chief on Friday ordered the CCD to investigate the incident following which the arrests were made by them.
Meanwhile, it has been revealed that the Toyota Landcruiser Prado involved in the incident is registered to Attorney at Law and a popular mathematics tutor Dinesh Nuwan Amaratunga. However, it is unclear if he is wanted by the Police in connection with the incident.
All four arrested suspects were remanded till July 22 after being produced before the Attanagalla Magistrate’s Court yesterday. The suspects will be presented for an identification parade on the day. The Colombo Crime Division is conducting further investigations into the incident, police said.