"AG orders police to probe spread of Covid-19 from Brandix factory", 27 October 2020

The Attorney General has directed the Acting IGP to investigate the spread of COVID-19 from the Brandix apparel factory in Minuwangoda.

Coordinating Officer to the AG, State Counsel Nishara Jayaratne stated that the Attorney General’s attention was drawn towards the dangerous condition facing human lives due to the Brandix Covid-19 cluster and that today he held a discussion with the DIG (Legal Division) Ajith Rohana and gave relevant instructions.

The Attorney General Instructed that attention must be directed towards determining whether direct negligence or carelessness on the part of the management and representatives of the company or state officials had led to the spread of Covid-19 form the factory.

He also ordered to immediately launch a criminal investigation on the matter and to look into whether any offences under the Penal Code or the Quarantine & Prevention of Diseases Ordinance are uncovered and report back to him.

He instructed Acting IGP, in writing, to appoint a team of senior officers with experience to carry out these investigations while directing the police to submit a preliminary progress report before November 13...