Court Orders Production of Evidence in Former IGP C.D. Wickramaratne Death Investigation
21-Jul-2026.
The Kaduwela Magistrate's Court has ordered investigators to produce before court on July 28 all evidence connected to the death of former Inspector General of Police (IGP) C.D. Wickramaratne, including the suspected 9mm pistol and its magazine believed to have caused the fatal gunshot injuries.
The order was issued by Kaduwela Magistrate Arun Indrajith Buddhadasa when the case (B 16426/2026), originally filed by the Malabe Police, was taken up again on July 20 following a motion filed by the Western Province South Special Investigation Division.
The Magistrate also directed investigators to forward the firearm and all related exhibits to the Government Analyst and submit the forensic examination report to court.
Officials from the Western Province South Special Investigation Division informed court that, acting under powers vested in them by Section 125 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the Deputy Inspector General in charge of the Western Province South Division had ordered the transfer of the investigation from the Malabe Police to the Special Investigation Division for further inquiries.
The officers requested court approval to formally assume responsibility for all investigations conducted thus far by the Malabe Police.
After considering the application, Magistrate Buddhadasa granted permission for the Special Investigation Division to take over the investigation.
The court reiterated its earlier direction that all case exhibits, including the suspected 9mm pistol and magazine, be produced on July 28 and forwarded to the Government Analyst, with the corresponding forensic report to be submitted thereafter.
Former IGP Wickramaratne died on July 17 after sustaining gunshot injuries at his residence in Talahena, Malabe.
The Judicial Medical Officer attached to the Colombo East Base Hospital, Mulleriyawa, who conducted the post-mortem examination, returned an open verdict without specifying the precise cause of death.
Accordingly, the complete post-mortem report, including the final medical opinion on the cause of death, is expected to be submitted to the Kaduwela Magistrate's Court at a later date.
