17-year-old cricketer held in probation custody over club worker's death

Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama ordered that a 17-year-old arrested by Cinnamon Gardens Police remain in probation custody until August 24 in connection with the fatal assault of a premier sports club worker in Colombo 07.

Attorney Senaka Perera informed the court that the suspect student, while residing at the Makola detention centre, suffered an assault from another child and currently receives treatment at Ragama Hospital, noting that the attacker suffered from mental health conditions.

The Magistrate instructed probation officers to submit a report addressing the failure to segregate normal children from mentally disabled children within the probation premises.

Police stated that the arrested cricket player resides in Liyanagemulla, Seeduwa, while the deceased employee, 62-year-old Sumith Fernando from Moratuwa who worked at the Bloomfield Athletic and Golf Club, died on August 10 at the Colombo National Hospital following an incident on August 8.

The altercation began near a water tap at the Bloomfield sports premises when players practising at the grounds found no water available, leading to a heated argument between the worker and the players.

Police investigations revealed that after the employee attempted to strike one player and then targeted the 17-year-old player, the player delivered a blow to the worker.

Medical records indicated the victim suffered from heart disease, prompting a postmortem examination at the Colombo National Hospital to determine whether the death resulted from the assault or a heart condition, with the inquest scheduled to begin on August 24.