SSP Keerthiratne, who allegedly gave the order to shoot, is reported to have admitted himself to the Police Hospital in Narahenpita and the others have been admitted to the Police Hospital in Kundasale, Kandy.
More than one thousand people took part in a satyagraha which was held in Rambukkanaearlier today for justice for the killing of Chaminda Lakshan.
Lakshan died after police fired at protesters in Rambukkana last week. They were asking for cheaper fuel.
The satyagraha was organised by the United National Party and its supporters from Kandy, Kurunegala, Kegalle, Colombo and Gampaha also took part in it.
Meanwhile Thush Wickremenayake, the daughter of former Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremenayake has written to the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) about reliable information she has received that two children aged 15 and 16 were severely injured in the shooting. According to an eyewitness more children may have been injured.
She has asked the NCPA to take over the investigations into their injuries because of claims by the public and lawyers appearing for the victims of the shooting that the police investigation into the incident is not independent. Both the Ministry for Public Security and the police have ordered investigations into the shooting.
Yesterday, the Kegalle magistrate ordered the arrest of the police officers who were allegedly involved in the shooting but they were admitted to hospital citing various medical conditions. SSP Keerthiratne, who allegedly gave the order to shoot, is reported to have admitted himself to the Police Hospital in Narahenpita and the others have been admitted to the Police Hospital in Kundasale, Kandy.
The police spokesman said that as of this morning the Inspector General of Police had not received the court order for the arrest of the police officers. But in later in the day police headquarters said it received the court order which was issued and the IGP has directed the CID to make the arrests.
