A man from Deraniyagala has alleged that he was assaulted by police officers from the Borella Police after being mistakenly identified as a suspect in a recent shooting.
The individual, identified as Lahiru Madhusankha, who runs a small restaurant, claims the officers confused him with a suspect whose image had been circulated by authorities.
The shooting occurred in the Bodhiyawatta area of Kohuwala on the night of December 30, injuring a 16-year-old girl. Police had released a hand-drawn sketch of the suspect and sought public assistance in locating the individual.
According to Lahiru, he travelled to Colombo on January 1 to buy supplies for his business and stayed overnight at his wife’s residence on Baseline Mawatha. Police reportedly arrived at the house the following morning.
He alleged that after voluntarily visiting the Borella Police Station to give a statement, officers showed him the suspect’s image and assaulted him. He was detained for nearly two days before being released on the afternoon of January 3.
Meanwhile, police said that the man was arrested on suspicion, his details were verified, and he was released on police bail.
