Government Analyst findings clear MP Asoka Ranwala of alcohol and drugs, but police negligence and mechanical failures now take center stage in a widening investigation.
The Police Media Division says the Government Analyst’s Department has confirmed that no alcohol or drugs were detected in the blood and urine samples of former Speaker and Member of Parliament Asoka Ranwala, who was involved in the Sapugaskanda road accident earlier this month.
According to a police statement, the analyst’s report has been officially received, and the case related to the accident is scheduled to be taken up again on January 16 at the Mahara Magistrate’s Court.
While the toxicology findings clear Ranwala of intoxication, the incident has triggered a broader investigation into police conduct surrounding the handling of the case. The Police Media Spokesperson’s Office announced that dereliction of duty has been identified among officers attached to the Sapugaskanda Police Station, including the Officer in Charge and senior officers responsible for supervising the investigation.
The Police Media Division stated on December 18 that the Inspector General of Police ordered a special inquiry to determine whether proper procedures were followed after the accident involving National People’s Power MP Asoka Ranwala. This investigation was carried out by the Deputy Inspector General in charge of the Traffic Control and Road Safety Division.
“During the investigation, it has been observed that the Sapugaskanda Police OIC, the Traffic Division OIC who investigated the accident and the senior government notified officers supervising the Sapugaskanda Police Station have committed dereliction of duty,” the statement said.
Following these findings, the IGP has instructed the Police Special Investigation Unit to initiate a preliminary investigation against the identified officers and take disciplinary action where appropriate.
Police have also revealed new developments regarding the condition of the vehicle driven by Ranwala. Police Media Spokesperson Assistant Superintendent of Police F. U. Wutler told the BBC Sinhala Service that a separate charge will be filed based on a report from the Examiner of Motor Vehicles.
“We have received the report from the Examiner of Motor Vehicles. According to that report, there was some mechanical defect. It seems that the mechanical defect was not managed properly. We are also taking steps to file a case against that,” he said.
The police later confirmed that the defect involved the vehicle’s braking system, which was not functioning properly at the time of the accident.
Ranwala’s blood samples were obtained from the Colombo National Hospital and forwarded to the Government Analyst soon after the incident. Police say further legal steps will follow in line with court proceedings.
The accident occurred at around 7.45 pm on December 11 at the Sapugaskanda Denimulla junction when the jeep driven by Ranwala collided with another car. Three people, including a small child travelling in the car, were injured.
Ranwala was arrested while receiving treatment at the National Hospital and was released on bail the following day by the Mahara Magistrate’s Court. Police had initially stated that he was arrested for dangerous driving and failing to avoid an accident, pending the analyst’s report.
