A birthday celebration arranged inside the Colombo Crime Division (CCD) for a suspect held in connection with the murder of Ganemulla Sanjeewa has triggered a police misconduct investigation, with the Officer-in-Charge facing possible suspension.
Ishara Sewwandi, who is in CCD custody over allegations linked to the killing, turned 29 on Sunday.
A tip-off from a private informant, later confirmed by an intelligence officer, alerted Head of Colombo Range DIG Nishantha Soysa that a birthday event had been organised within the detention facility.
The DIG immediately instructed the OIC by telephone to halt the celebration and dispatched Senior Superintendent of Police Mahesh Kumarasinghe to the scene, before arriving himself to oversee the situation.
Investigations revealed that Sewwandi’s brother had brought in a cake, while her aunt and cousin had visited the premises for the occasion.
Arrangements had also been made to bring Sewwandi out of her cell to cut the cake.
A senior police officer said the OIC had given permission for the event, reportedly warning those involved not to take photographs to prevent them from circulating online.
Statements have since been recorded from around 15 individuals, including Sewwandi’s relatives and officers on duty at the time.
Investigators also found that the OIC had been in prior contact with Sewwandi’s brother, raising suspicions that the event had been facilitated and planned with police involvement.
DIG Soysa has instructed the Special Investigation Unit in writing to conduct an urgent inquiry into the OIC’s conduct.