Minister's son is accused of assaulting police officers

Colombo Fort magistrate Sarath C Karunarathne also issued notice to Officer In Charge (OIC), Crime Branch, of the Colombo Fort police to appear before the courts on 05 August.

The magistrate issued the orders after reviewing a report by the police on the incident.

Deputy Minister Mervyn Silva’s son, Malaka Silva and two others were released by the police on bail on Monday without producing them before the courts.

The three were accused of preventing police from carrying out duty and attempting to shoot the officers who raided the night club in Taj Samudra Hotel on 24 July.

Police constable Lasantha of the Narcotics Bureau has been admitted to the hospital after the assault, police said.

Police Inspector (IP) Prabhath Balasingham has stated in his testimony that the police left the hotel to prevent any eventuality after they were assaulted by a drunken group.

But the Inspector General of Police (IGP), has told the journalists that there was no evidence to prove that the group led by minister’s carried any firearms.

It is believed that the police officers are angry about their chief’s remarks.