C.D. Wickramaratne death inquiry hears how the former IGP requested a pistol and live ammunition shortly before a fatal gunshot.
The inquiry into the C.D. Wickramaratne death has heard how the former Inspector General of Police requested a pistol and live ammunition shortly before a fatal gunshot.
Sergeant E.M. Prasanna of the Elite Security Division told court that he had protected the former IGP for more than 16 years.
During that entire period, Wickramaratne had never previously asked to examine or take possession of the officer’s pistol, he said.
However, on the day of the incident, the former police chief allegedly requested both the weapon and its loaded magazine, saying that he wanted to inspect them.
Sergeant Prasanna presented the evidence during the magistrate’s inquiry before Kaduwela Magistrate Aruna Indrajith Buddhadasa on July 28.
The Western South Special Investigation Unit led the evidence relating to Wickramaratne’s shooting death.
The court has not yet received a final post-mortem conclusion establishing the precise cause and circumstances of death.
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Former IGP Asked to Inspect Pistol, Witness Says
Giving evidence in open court, Sergeant Prasanna described Wickramaratne’s behaviour before the shooting.
“I have been serving as the personal security officer to former IGP C.D. Wickramaratne for over 16 years,” he said.
“During this entire period, Sir never asked for the pistol from me for any reason.”
The officer said Wickramaratne had dressed in exercise clothing and appeared to be preparing for a workout.
However, he noticed two unusual details.
“He never took a water bottle when going for exercise, nor did he ever ask me to bring one,” Prasanna testified.
“On the day of the incident, Sir was dressed in his exercise clothes to go for a workout. However, he was not wearing his shoes.”
Prasanna said the former IGP normally wore shoes whenever he prepared to exercise.
“Normally, when preparing to go for exercise, Sir would not be without his shoes,” he said.
“But on this day, although he was wearing his exercise clothes, he was not wearing shoes.”
According to the witness, Wickramaratne then asked for his service weapon.
“On that day, Sir told me, ‘Prasanna, give me your pistol. I want to inspect it,’” he said.
“I gave Sir the pistol, but I did not give him the ammunition.”
The former IGP then reportedly asked for the bullets.
“Then Sir said, ‘Where are the bullets? Give them to me to inspect,’” Prasanna told court.
“Since Sir asked for them, I gave him the magazine with the live ammunition.”
After receiving the pistol and loaded magazine, Wickramaratne reportedly instructed the officer to bring him water.
“Sir told me, ‘Prasanna, go get a water bottle for me to take for exercise,’” the witness said.
Security Officer Heard Gunshot While Fetching Water
Sergeant Prasanna said he heard a gunshot while walking away to collect the requested bottle.
“As I was going to get a water bottle, I heard a gunshot,” he testified.
“When I went to check, Sir was lying there having been shot.”
The security officer and members of Wickramaratne’s family then rushed him to the Colombo East Base Hospital in Mulleriyawa.
“Along with the family members, we quickly took Sir to Mulleriyawa Hospital,” Prasanna said.
“Later, I was informed that Sir had passed away.”
The witness reportedly became visibly emotional at several points while describing the incident.
His testimony provided the court with a detailed account of the former police chief’s actions immediately before the shooting.
However, investigators must still examine the forensic evidence and other witness accounts before reaching a final conclusion.
Driver and Cook Ordered to Give Evidence
Magistrate Aruna Indrajith Buddhadasa directed the Western South Special Investigation Unit to summon two additional witnesses.
The former IGP’s driver and cook must appear before court to provide further evidence relating to the incident.
The Magistrate also ordered investigators to send the pistol, the magazine containing live ammunition and the spent cartridge case to the Government Analyst.
The resulting forensic examination could help establish how the weapon operated, whether it had been discharged and whether the physical evidence supports the witness accounts.
Wickramaratne suffered the fatal gunshot wound at his residence in Thalahena, Malabe, on July 17.
Malabe Police initially handled the investigation.
However, the court later transferred the inquiry to the Western South Special Investigation Unit.
The transfer followed a request from the Deputy Inspector General of Police responsible for the Western South Division.
Authorities made the request under Section 125 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, acting on the advice of Police Chief Attorney Priyantha Weerasuriya.
Final Post-Mortem Report Still Awaited
The Judicial Medical Officer at the Colombo East Base Hospital conducted the post-mortem examination on Wickramaratne’s body.
However, the JMO has not yet issued a definitive cause of death.
Instead, the examination concluded with an open verdict pending further findings.
The Judicial Medical Officer is expected to submit the final post-mortem report to the Kaduwela Magistrate’s Court at a later date.
That report, alongside the Government Analyst’s findings and further witness testimony, will remain central to the continuing inquiry.
Until those reports reach court, the precise circumstances surrounding the C.D. Wickramaratne death remain subject to judicial and forensic investigation.
