By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) in Deraaniyagala has arrested a resident of Samanpuragama for illegally entering the Sri Lankan President’s House in Fort on July 9, and taking photographs while sitting on the President’s chair.
The 28-year-old was produced before Colombo Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage on Wednesday.
The police informed the court that they expect to file charges against the suspect under Offences Against Public Property Act.
He allegedly perpetrated the act during an anti-government protest in Colombo which forced the former President, Gotabaya Rajapaksa out of office July 13. He is to remain in custody till August 5.
Similarly, two suspects, who are under arrest for assaulting Senior DIG in charge of Western Province Deshabandu Tennakoon, were also remanded until August 5.
After taking into account a request made by the police, the magistrate ordered the suspects to be referred to an identification parade.
During a nationwide unrest on May 10 after a brazen attack on the main anti-government protest sites in Colombo, Senior DIG Tennakoon sustained minor injuries in an attack carried out by a group of individuals at the Perahera Mawatha near the Beira Lake in Colombo.
The angry mob had also attacked and damaged the high-ranking police officer’s vehicle.
Footage of the incident, circulated on social media, had showed several persons surrounding and attacking the police officer with clubs, sticks and other objects.
