Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala yesterday pledged an impartial inquiry into Friday’s incident at the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court premises, involving a lawyer and a police officer.The Minister told The Island that the inquiry would help identify those responsible for creating the incident and action would be taken based on its findings.
Mount Lavinia Police have also launched an investigation into the conduct of the lawyer involved in the incident. According to police, the lawyer verbally abused and obstructed the police officer carrying out his duties.
The officer was arrested, produced before court, and remanded until 13 October.
Video footage of the altercation has been obtained and submitted as case material. Statements from several witnesses present at the scene have also been recorded.Further investigations are being carried out under the supervision of the SSP for the Mount Lavinia Division.
By Norman Palihawadane