Sri Lankan's killing: action against sentry after RDO report

Madurai, Oct 6 (UNI) Action will be taken in the incident relating to the shooting down of a Sri Lankan national by a security guard yesterday at the Madurai Central Prison based on Revenue Divisional Officer's report.

Talking to newspersons at the Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH) here today, State Additional Director General of Police (Prisons) R Sekhar said the RDO would submit a report in this regard.

He said the Sri Lankan national Warnakulasuriya Canicius Fernando (44), a native of Negombo in Sri Lanka, attempted to enter the prohibited area to meet his colleagues lodged in the prison, defying the security guard's warning.

Apprehending danger, sentry Devaraj opened fire, killing him on the spot.

Mr Sekhar said, the main entrance of the prison was a prohibited area. Moreover, Fernando's behaviour aroused suspicion in the sentry, forcing him to open fire, he said.

Earlier, Mr Sekhar inspected the body of Fernando kept at the GRH and also the Central Prison complex, where the incident took place.

Later, he interrogated sentry Devaraj at Karimedu police station in the city.

Fernando was a representative of mechanised fishing boat owner Devdu Prasamsa, whose fishing vessel was impounded and its four crew members were arrested by the Coast Guard on June 13, for entering Indian waters.

A case was registered by the Thermal Nagar police station in Tuticorin District under various sections of Maritime Zone Act and Indian Passport Act.

Four of them were, later, sentenced to four months imprisonment.

Fernando came to Chennai a few days ago and met the officials of the Sri Lankan Deputy High Commission there, who issued him a letter certifying his identity and purpose of visit.

The letter stated that he was visiting India for the release of the fishing vessel and its crew members.

Fernando, who arrived here yesterday, came to the prison. He failed to comprehend the sentry's message, who was preventing him from entering the prohibited area. Subsequently, the sentry opened one round of fire from his Self Loading Rifle (SLR), killing him on the spot.

UNI