Accusations were also made by residents against the police, alleging the police had tried to wash off the blood stains on the road.63 Kegalle Magistrate VasanaNavaratne had reportedly also arrived at the Kegalle Hospital and conducted preliminary inquiries into the death of the victim. The post-mortem examination of the victim was scheduled to be held at the Kegalle Hospital.64 2.6.6 Press conference by police spokesperson Ajith Rohana A press conference was held by Senior Police Spokesman SDIG Ajith Rohana regarding the progress of investigations into the Rambukkana incident. Following are the key points made in the press conference as reported by media: i. A special police team was appointed by the Senior DIG in charge of Sabaragamuwa Province, on the instruction of the IGP, in order to conduct investigations. The team consists of one SSP, three Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASP) and another sixteen police officers. The time comprises twenty police officers and is headed by SSP WasanthaKandewatte, the SSP and division in charge of Seethawakapura-Awissawella police division. ii. The police had submitted a report to the Kegalle Magistrate’s Court under Section 22 of the Criminal Procedure Code in order to conduct an inquest in respect of the dead body, under provisions of Chapter 30 of the Criminal Procedure Code. iii. Notes made by police officers who participated in the operation at Rambukkana outlined that they had used reasonable force in accordance with the provisions of Sections 89 to 99 of the Penal Code. Additionally, provisions under Section 107 of the Criminal Procedure Code, Section 56 of the Police Ordinance and Chapter 8 of the Criminal Procedure Code were reportedly followed. He also stated that there was a note by police officers who were present at the scene that an attempt was made by protestors to set fire to a fuel bowser, and a filling station. He stated that if the fuel bowser had been set on fire, it could have led to a disaster and turned the town into rubble.65 iv. SDIG also mentioned that the person who died in the incident had two cases of homicide against him pending in court. “Terror at Rambukkana: Court Denies Police Report. On-Site Probe Continues” Lanka News Web, 20 April 2022. https://lankanewsweb.net/archives/9352/terror-at-rambukkana-court-denies-police-report-on-site-probe-continuesphotos/ 64 ‘Rambukkana is now calm’ Lankadeepa, 20 April 2022. https://www.lankadeepa.lk/latest_news/%E0%B6%BB%E0% B6%B9%E0%B7%94%E0%B6%9A%E0%B7%8A%E0%B6%9A%E0%B6%B1-%E0%B6%AF%E0%B7%90%E0%B6%B1%E0 %B7%8A-%E0%B7%83%E0%B6%B1%E0%B7%8A%E0%B7%83%E0%B7%94%E0%B6%B1%E0%B7%8A/1-611790 65 ‘#Rambukkana Shooting: Cops use correction fluid on report submitted to court, Magistrate orders NOT to influence witnesses’ News First, 21 April 2022. https://www.newsfirst.lk/2022/04/21/rambukkana-shooting-cops-usecorrection-fluid-on-report-submitted-to-court-magistrate-orders-not-to-influence-witnesses 63 17