The main convict in a case involving the brutal assault and attempted murder of a police officer, which left the officer blinded in one eye and with 11 teeth knocked out while on duty, has evaded court and gone into hiding.

The person currently absconding is R. A. Sisira Kumara Ramanayake, the former Chairman of the Kobeigane Multi-Purpose Co-operative Society. North Western Provincial High Court Judge Tikiri Jayathilake has issued an open warrant directing the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) in charge of the Nikaweratiya Division to arrest and produce him before court immediately.

Key Points

  • Inspector of Police Pradeep Karunadheera lost 11 teeth and was blinded in one eye in the brutal attack
  • The incident occurred on March 3, 2006, during a raid on an illegal sand mining racket along the Deduru Oya
  • Main convict and former co-operative chairman Sisira Kumara Ramanayake was sentenced to 5 years of rigorous imprisonment
  • The High Court has issued an open warrant for his arrest

What happened during the Deduru Oya sand raid

The crime took place several years ago, on March 3, 2006. Inspector of Police Pradeep Karunadheera, who was serving as the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Rasnayakapura Police at the time, had conducted a raid on an illegal sand mining racket along the Deduru Oya.

When he prepared to arrest the sand miners, they launched a severe assault targeting the OIC. The attack resulted in 11 of the officer's teeth being knocked out and completely blinded him in one eye.

Sentences handed to suspects

Following a lengthy trial, the main accused, Sisira Kumara Ramanayake, was sentenced to five years of rigorous imprisonment. In addition, the sixth through ninth accused were sentenced to four years of rigorous imprisonment each, while the other accused were handed two years of rigorous imprisonment each.

Those sentenced include the then-Vice Chairman of the Kobeigane Pradeshiya Sabha, A. Mahinda Kumarasiri. The others sentenced are K.P. Samansiri, N.M. Buddhika Prasad, K.A. Nilantha Saman Kumara, Priyantha Kumara, L. Indika Nuwan Sampath, P.M. Nimal Siriwardena, R.M. Ranjan Ramanayake, R.M. Jayalath Pradeep Kumara, A.L. Ramanayake, S.M. Sunil Priyantha, L. Lalith Premakumara, S.A. Nilantha Samarathunga, L. Ajantha Samaraweera, S.A. Nilantha Samaraweera, S.A. Lakshman, A. Asanka Indrajith, and Warnakulasuriya Anil Krishantha.

What next?

Operations to arrest the fugitive former chairman and produce him before court are underway under the direction of the Nikaweratiya Senior Superintendent of Police, in accordance with the open warrant issued by the North Western Provincial High Court.