AG finds fault with CID

‘Suspect received 7 calls from Cinnamon Grand bomber’

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Attorney General Dappula de Livera, PC, has asserted that the release of Riyaj Bathiudeen arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) on April 14, 2020 over his alleged involvement with those allegedly involved in the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks cannot be justified under any circumstances.

Riyaj is the younger brother of former Minister Rishard Bathiudeen, who is also under investigation in connection with the Easter Sunday attacks.

The AG expressed this view after meeting the DIG, CID Prasad Ranasinghe, CID Director Prasanna de Alwis, ASP Vijitha Perera and Chief Inspector Sugath Kumara at the AG’s Department, on Monday (12).

The AG called for a special meeting in the wake of allegations DIG Ranasinghe’s predecessor DIG Nuwan Wedasinghe authorised the suspect’s release under controversial circumstances.

During yesterday’s meeting, it transpired that both DIG Wedasinghe and SSP de Silva had failed in their duties as regards Riyaj Bathiudeen’s investigation.

AG’s Coordinating Officer State Counsel Nishara Jayaratne told The Island that the primary reason for Riyaj Bathiudeen’s arrest was his receiving seven telephone calls from Inshaf Ahamed, 36, who carried out the suicide attack on Cinnamon Grand Hotel. Ahamed owned the Wellampitiya copper factory, where explosive packed backpacks were alleged to have been made. Ahamed’s brother, Illham Ibrahim, 38, carried out attacks on Shangri-la along with Thawheed mastermind Zahran Hashim.

The AG found fault with the former DIG, CID and incumbent Director, CID for Riyaj Bathiudeen’s release on Oct 30.

The AG also noted serious lapses on the part of the CID in investigating certain aspects of the probe such as money laundering, terrorism financing, etc. Sources said that controversy surrounds a decision to hand over such an important investigation into clandestine financial transaction and related matters to an officer wholly incapable of handling it.

Out the 16 mobile phones used by Riyaj Bathiudeen, the police had been able to recover six and there was evidence to suggest that no serious been made by the CID to recover all of them, sources said.

The AG has issued written instructions to the police as regards the investigation asking for a comprehensive report within a month.

The AG called yesterday’s meeting in the wake of over 100 SLPP lawmakers requesting President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to re-arrest Riyaj.