The final rites of former Inspector General of Police C.D. Wickramaratne were held today with full police honours, closing a chapter on the sudden death of one of the country’s most senior former law-enforcement figures.
Wickramaratne died of a gunshot wound at his Malabe residence on July 17. Police recovered a pistol at the scene and treated the death as an apparent suicide, while two investigation teams were assigned to establish the circumstances.
As part of the probe, his remains, mobile phone and the firearm were referred to the Government Analyst’s Department for forensic examination. Investigators have been working to determine a possible motive.
Wickramaratne served as Sri Lanka’s Inspector General of Police and held a range of senior positions during a long career in the service. His death was widely described as a significant loss to the country’s police and administrative history.
Serving and retired police officers, family members and officials attended the funeral, where the former police chief was accorded the ceremonial honours reserved for a former head of the service.
