February 24 (Citizen.lk News)-Former Inspector of Police Jagath Nishantha was arrested yesterday upon his return to Sri Lanka after fleeing overseas following a high-profile 2023 shooting incident. The Matara Magistrate’s Court had previously ordered the arrest of eight former Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) officers, including former IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon, in connection with the December 31, 2023, tragedy near the W15 Hotel in Weligama. The incident began when a CCD team in civilian attire, reportedly targeting associates of the underworld figure ‘Harak Kata,’ engaged in a firefight after being attacked from within the hotel.
The situation escalated into a fatal case of mistaken identity when a Weligama Police mobile patrol arrived and opened fire on the CCD van, believing it belonged to criminals. The encounter left two CCD officers wounded, and 47-year-old Police Sergeant Upul Chaminda Kumara later succumbed to his injuries. This arrest marks a significant step in the ongoing legal proceedings surrounding the botched operation and the subsequent death of a fellow officer.
