If police fails to take action within 24 hours:

Writ of Mandamus and FR against IGP

by Dhaneshi Yatawara

As there is no action taken to arrest the suspect police officers involved in the Embilipitiya incident in keeping with the Embilipitiya Magistrate's order on January 27, the lawyers representing Shashika Nishamani, the widow of Sumith Prasanna Jayawaradane who died following a clash with police, will file a Writ of Mandamus in the Court of Appeal and a Fundamental Rights case in the Supreme Court, attorney-at-law Udul Premarathne said "Days have passed after the court order was issued by the Embilipitiya Magistrate to arrest the suspect police officers and if IGP N.K. Ilangakoon fails to execute the court order within 24 hours, we will file legal action," Premaratne said, on behalf of the group of lawyers.

Lawyers have sent a letter of demand to the IGP on Friday (January 29) demanding the arrest of police officers as ordered by the Embilipitiya Magistrate.

Attorney-at-Law Vijitha Punchihewa said following the order issued by the Embilipitiya Magistrate to arrest the suspect police officers, fresh witnesses have come forward to support the case. "These witnesses have strong evidence against the Embilipitiya ASP who allegedly pushed Sumith Prasanna. They said they were afraid to give evidence earlier as the suspects were still at large," he said.