Inspector of Police (IP) Neomal Rangajeewa and Prisons Commissioner Emil Ranjan Lamahewa, who were arrested over the Welikada Prison clashes in 2012, have been further remanded until May 8 by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court. 

When the case was taken up before Colombo Additional Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake today (24), Senior State Counsel Madhawa Tennakoon appearing on behalf of the CID informed the court that investigations are being carries out with regard to the incident by two divisions. 

Attorneys representing the aggrieved party requested the court to order the CID to carry out investigations to uncover the high-ranking individuals who ordered the army and STF to enter the prison during the incident. 

In response to this, the magistrate stated that according to the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code, he does not the authority to issue directives with regard to the requests made by aggrieved parties.  

The magistrate also called for a report on the progress of investigations when the case is taken up again on May 8. 

IP Rangajeewa of the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) was arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) on March 28 over the alleged killing of inmates at Welikada prison during the clashes in 2012.

Lamahewa, who was the then Prisons Superintendent in charge of the Magazine Prison and currently Prisons Commissioner (Rehabilitation), was arrested by CID at his official residence at No. 142, Baseline Road, Colombo 9 the following day.

Twenty-seven inmates were killed and more than 20 other injured in deadly shooting during the Welikada Prison riot on November 9, 2012 when prisoners took control of the populated prison objecting to an unannounced search by the Special Task Force to nab hidden arms, drugs and mobile phones at the prison.