2,289 arrested in connection with Easter Sunday bombing and communal violence
June 04, 2019The total number of arrested suspects in connection with the Easter Sunday bomb attacks (21 April) and violence in the Northwestern Province and several other areas are 2,289. It includes 330 Sinhalese, 139 Tamils, and 1820 Muslims revealed the Police Media Spokesperson SP Ruwan Gunasekara at a media briefing held at the Media Centre in Kollupitiya, on Monday evening (03 June).
A total of, 423 arrested suspects have been remanded and 211 are still under police custody for further interrogation. The 211 suspects in police custody includes the 68 in CID and 26 in TID custody. 1655 suspects have been granted bail by relevant Magistrates Courts and police stations. Out of those arrested, 575 suspects were arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism Act and 213 suspects were arrested under the Emergency Regulations. 72 suspects had been arrested under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Act. 1429 suspects had been arrested under the general law, the further Police Spokesman further said.
A person was shot dead in Mullawatte Road in Gothatuwa Police Division on Sunday evening (02). The deceased is a 40 year old male named Patthinige Thushara Waishantha. Investigations have revealed that the shooting was a result of a dispute between two organized criminal groups. Police are conducting further investigations to arrest the suspects, the Police Spokesman added.