DIG unable to comprehend suicide of HQI

Commenting on the death of Kalmunai HQI, W. C. Wijetilleke, who committed suicide last Friday apparently after receiving transfer orders to report duty at the Ampara Police Station on the sameday, Ampara DIG R. P. S. K. Rajapakse said the HQI was not transferred but was asked to report to Ampara for some special duty.
The deceased has told an ASP attached to Ampara who spoke to him on Thursday night that he was distressed over the transfer since he had to work under a junior officer in Ampara. In the early hours on Friday he has shot himself with a T-56 service rifle and had died instantaneously, according to IP Jamaeel who was in the adjoining room in the police quarters. Jameel had told the inquest that he had broken open the door of the room of the deceased and found him dead bleeding from his face.

DIG Rajapakse said transfer to Ampara on special duty could not have been the cause for the suicide. He also said that he had been advising the Kalmunai Police to provide protection to traders who visit Kalmunai from other areas.

However, last Thursday three mattress traders who arrived by lorry to Kalmunai from Mawathagama, to sell mattresses had been shot dead.

The DIG said that he was well aware that the deceased Inspector was an efficient officer and was unable to comprehend as to why he committed suicide.