Six police officers attached to the Gampaha Divisional Crime Detection Bureau (DCDB) have been remanded until January 26 in connection with the alleged assault of a Catholic priest, court officials said.
The suspects were arrested by the Gampaha Police and produced before the Gampaha Magistrate’s Court on January 25, after which they were ordered to be remanded.
The incident came to light after a Catholic priest, identified as Milan Priyadarshana from Kotadeniyawa, was admitted to the Negombo District General Hospital on January 24, alleging that he was assaulted by a group of police officers.
According to the priest, he was riding a motorcycle to attend a religious service when he was chased by a police motorcycle team and assaulted in the Udugampola area in Gampaha.
National Catholic Communications Director Rev. Jude Krishantha Fernando and Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP Kavinda Jayawardena were among those who visited the priest at the Negombo Hospital, where he is receiving treatment.
Police said the six suspects include three police sergeants and three police constables from the DCDB motorcycle unit. Investigations into the incident are ongoing. (Newswire)