CID arrests Brigadier who ordered Rathupaswala shooting
May 25, 2017 04:10 pm
The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has arrested Brigadier Anura Deshapriya Gunawardena, the military officer who allegedly ordered troops to open fire on protesters demanding clean water in Rathupaswala five years back.
The Brigadier was arrested after a statement was recorded from him at the CID, a short while ago.
The CID had previously arrested three military officers in connection with the incident while they are currently in remand custody.
Brigadier Anura Deshapriya is to be produced at the Gampaha Magistrate’s Court later today (25).
The army had come under intense pressure after soldiers fired on unarmed locals on August 1, 2013 in Weliweriya, killing three and injuring several others, as they protested against a factory which they say polluted their ground water.
Brigadier Gunawardena, who allegedly ordered troops to open fire at unarmed civilians, was later given a position in the Sri Lankan Embassy in Turkey, which had sparked even more controversy while the then main opposition UNP accused the ruling party of setting a bad example.
