The Inspector General of Police (IGP) has been given the final recommendations of the investigations into the murder of a person who was killed after police opened fire on a crowd demonstration in Rambukkana on April 19, 2022, according to the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL).
On April 19 of last year, a public protest took place in the Rambukkana neighborhood, and one person was murdered when police opened fire during the protest. The HRCSL initiated an inquiry into the incident with the help of a group of experts.
A spokesman for the HRCSL said on Tuesday (18) that IGP C.D. Wickramaratne had received the investigations’ final recommendations.
In addition to its “Interim Report of the Committee of Experts appointed by the HRCSL to investigate the incidents that took place in Rambukkana on April 79, 2022,” which was released on June 28, 2022, the HRCSL stated that it is presenting this report.
As a result, it provides in-depth conclusions regarding the sequence of events, human rights breaches, and related recommendations in relation to the incidents that occurred on April 19, 2022, in Rambukkana, Sri Lanka.
On April 19, 2022, a civil disobedience protest in the neighborhood of the Rambukkana Cooperative Fuel Station to voice the people’s discontent over the protracted fuel shortages and exorbitant fuel prices resulted in a heated scenario between civilians and law enforcement agents.
One citizen had died as a result of the stressful situation’s eruption, 18 civilians had been hurt, 20 police officers had been hurt, and nearby property had been damaged.
In light of this, the HRCSL suggests the following in order to make up for the serious injustices committed;
l. To the IGP –
a. Use the evidence and special findings of this report, in particular the CCTV footage to conduct an inquiry and ascertain the exact police officer responsible in shooting Chaminda Lakshan, the deceased.
b. Forward such finding regarding the responsible police officers to the Attorney General for his reference and necessary action,
ll. To the Department of Police –
a. Pay adequate compensation to the victims who have suffered injuries as a result .. of the excessive use of force by police officers.
b. Pay adequate compensation to the wife and two children of the deceased who was the sole breadwinner of the family.
