Former Provincial Councilor arrested over Galle Face attacks

May 17, 2022 at 11:10 AM

Former Provincial Councilor (PC) Amal Silva and an employee of the Moratuwa Urban Council have been arrested over the attacks on peaceful anti-government protesters at the Galle Face Green in Colombo on 09th May.

The two men were arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) pertaining to investigations into the attack that was carried out by Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) loyalists. 

The Police said former Provincial Councillor Amal Silva and the Moratuwa Urban Council employee will be produced in court.

A total of 557 suspects have been arrested in connection to the Galle Face attacks, with159 being arrested on Sunday (15) and 398 being arrested earlier.

The Attorney General (AG) has also issued directives to the IGP and the CID Director to arrest 22 more individuals, including politicians, in connection to the attacks, provided sufficient evidence is available. 

The directive calls for the arrests of SLPP MPs Jonhston Fernando, Sanath Nishantha, Milan Jayathilake, Sanjeeva Ediramanna, Moratuwa Mayor Saman Lal Fernando, Mahinda Kahandagama, Dan Priyasad, and Western Province SDIG Deshabandu Tennakoon.

The CID had been ordered to arrest the suspects and produce them in Court as soon as possible. 

Meanwhile, the Police Spokesman said today that following the Attorney General’s advice, the CID has forwarded a letter to the Speaker on the matter.

He said the Speaker has been informed that statements must be obtained from 7 Parliamentarians over the Galle Face incident. (NewsWire)