Negombo Chief Magistrate Shilani Perera ordered three suspects to be remanded until August 3 in connection with setting fire to a container truck and assaulting its driver and assistant following a fatal road accident in the Bolawalana area along the Negombo–Minuwangoda Road. The remanded suspects are aged 20, 25, and 26, and are residents of the Negombo, Dagonna, and Kimbulapitiya areas.
The fatal crash occurred on the 29th when two motorcycles travelling at high speed toward Negombo collided with a container truck that was turning across the road. The impact of the collision claimed the lives of both motorcyclists at the scene. Following the accident, an unruly crowd gathered, set fire to the truck causing extensive damage, and assaulted both the driver and his assistant.
When the suspects were produced before the Magistrate in her chambers today, Police Sergeant Lalith of the Katana Police informed the court that the arrests were made on charges of committing mischief by fire, obstructing police duties, and brutally assaulting the driver and his crew. Police further informed the court that several other suspects linked to the incident are yet to be apprehended.
The police requested the court to direct the suspects to an identification parade, noting that the container driver and assistant would be able to identify their attackers. Appearing on behalf of the suspects, Senior Counsel Primal Amarasinghe requested the cancellation of the identification parade, arguing that although the three young men were present at the scene when the incident occurred, they had neither participated in nor assisted with the arson or the assault.
Having considered the facts presented, the Chief Magistrate ordered that the suspects be produced for an identification parade on August 3 and remanded them in custody until that date.
