Police did not get 119 call – Minister

By Gagani Weerakoon andSkandha Gunasekara-2016-01-28 

In a shocking turn of events, Parliament was informed yesterday that the investigation into... ... the death of a young man in Embilipitiya earlier this month had revealed that the Police had not been informed of a clash at the venue by a 119 call.

Minister of Law and Order, Sagala Ratnayake, responding to a question posed by Chief Opposition Whip JVP MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake on an earlier date, disclosed these details in the House yesterday.

The minister, on a previous occasion told the House that the Police had gone to the location in Embilipitiya, where the incident took place, in response to a 119 emergency call.
Minister Ratnayake said the Embilipitiya Police had deployed a Police team to the location following information given by two constables, who had been on patrol, concerning an issue with loud speakers and excessive noise.

The minister added that no clear evidence had turned up to help ascertain the cause of death of the victim and that the only available evidence was information given by the wife of the owner of the residence where the incident took place.
However, the minister said that statements would be recorded from witnesses who had been identified by the wife of the victim.
Minister Ratnayake said that action would be taken against any Police officer involved in the incident if found guilty of assaulting the victim and any others at the residence at the time of the incident.

Sumith Prasanna (29) a father of one child, succumbed to his injuries sustained in the fall during the clash on 7 January (Tuesday). It has been alleged that the victim had been shoved from the top floor of the house where a coming-of-age celebration was held.