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Attack on media near Ranil’s home: HRCSL recommends STF remove camouflage during civil operations

03 Aug 2022

  • Recommends that IGP transfer SSP Romesh Liyanage
The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has recommended that Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chandana D. Wickramaratne transfer Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Romesh Liyanage, and for the Special Task Force (STF) to reconsider its camouflage uniform for civil operations.  The HRCSL has made these recommendations with regard to its inquiry into the assault of journalists that took place in front of President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s private residence at Fifth Lane in Colombo 3, on 9 July.  The HRCSL said that the officer handling the disciplinary inquiry informed that the perpetrators are yet to be identified, and that identifying them in the current uniform is no easy task.  “One of the major setbacks for the Police investigation is the identity of the assailant. Therefore, the HRCSL recommends to the IGP, that the camouflage uniform in the present description, is not the proper uniform for civil operations. The IGP must take cognisance of the uniform currently worn by the STF for civilian operations, and take appropriate action to have a proper uniform, especially for civic duty.” “The investigation revealed that SSP Liyanage was the Unit Commander deployed for security at and near the private residence of the current President, on Fifth Lane. There were 140 STF personnel under the command of SSP Liyanage. It is also not in doubt that the media personnel posed no threat to the Police on that day, and that the assault on the media was unjustified and intentional, even after the media personnel were identified as media personnel by the STF and the Police. These officers of the STF who had assaulted the journalists were under the direct command of SSP Liyanage,” the HRCSL said.  However, when the HRCSL questioned SSP Liyanage regarding the incident, he had denied being present at the time of the assault.  “He denied any knowledge of the assault on the media personnel. He was shown video footage which was admitted as footage of the particular event. There is a serious doubt regarding the credibility of the evidence given by SSP Liyanage to the HRCSL on oath. He is unequivocally responsible for the attack on the media personnel on this day. This is a gross violation of the people's fundamental rights and, importantly, of the rights of the free media, which is an integral part of every democracy.” The HRCSL has further recommended the IGP to transfer SSP Liyanage to any other branch outside of Colombo, until the Police inquiry into the matter is concluded.  On 9 July, hundreds of thousands of people descended upon the “GotaGoGama” protest site at the Galle Face Green, where they ultimately took over the Presidential Secretariat, the official residence of the President, and the Temple Trees, (the official residence of the Prime Minister). Later that night, protestors were tear-gassed outside the private residence of then-Premier Wickremesinghe at Fifth Lane, while 10 journalists attached to two private media organisations were also assaulted by the STF. The fire at his residence started shortly afterwards.


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