Three Police officers jailed for killing of hotel manager

The incident occurred on World Temperance Day, when four police officers, including the then OIC of the Anti-Corruption Unit, had visited a hotel seeking liquor. The manager, refused to serve alcohol citing temperance day restrictions. The officers then forcibly took him away, subjected him to a brutal assault and torture, resulting in his death.

A post-mortem examination revealed 26 external injuries on the victim’s body, including 14 severe bruises.

Court proceedings against the accused stretched over 21 years and were heard before 11 High Court judges. Delivering the long-awaited verdict, High Court Judge Ruchira Weliwatte sentenced the three officers to seven years’ rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs. 15,000 each.

The first defendant, the former OIC of the Polonnaruwa Divisional Anti-Corruption Unit, passed away during the trial.