…finds fault with Inspectors’ Association, too

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Chief Inspector Linton de Silva yesterday (5) questioned the rationale in law enforcement officers interdicted over unsubstantiated accusations being deprived of assistance through the Police Legal Division.

The veteran investigator said that he was struggling to meet legal costs after he was interdicted along with three police constables on February 26, within 24 hours after a law student Migara Gunaratne accused them of assaulting him at the Kelaniya Divisional Criminal Investigation Detective Bureau located at the Peliyagoda police station.

CI de Silva also questioned how the Inspectors’ Association turned a blind eye to the plight of him and the three constables interdicted without an inquiry.

“We were denied a fair inquiry. I’m quite ashamed of the way the police reacted to unfounded accusations,” De Silva said, underscoring the need to review the entire process.

Responding to another query, the officer said that he believed the Public Security Ministry would take tangible measures in that regard.

The officer also said that the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), should inquire into the case as Migara Gunaratne entered the police station identifying himself as an attorney-at-law though he was only a final year law student.

Acknowledging that there was a spate of accusations in respect of the police conduct, the investigator emphasized those being accused, too, should receive a fair hearing.

The CCD took over the controversial investigation from the SIU amidst accusations the policemen hadn’t been treated justly.

The officer emphasized that by preventing them from seeking assistance from the Police Legal Division their Department found them guilty before the conclusion of the ongoing proceedings at the Magistrate’s court (no 05) at Hulftsdorp.

 According to statements recorded by the police inquiring into the incident at the Peliyagoda police station, the special unit led by CI de Silva had arrested eight persons wanted for cheating people. The arrested included four Nigerians, two Uzbekistan women and a local couple. Having obtained Detention Orders in respect of the eight, the investigators acting on the information obtained from those detained, on Feb 25 arrested three others. Their arrests led to the recovery of over Rs. 8 mn whereas investigations revealed the existence of a covert operation that facilitated the transferring of money collected here through illegitimate means to Dubai. Of the recovered money, over Rs 7.5 mn had been hidden in the ceiling. The police identified a Canada based person who played a major role in the operation.

 Since the interdiction of four policemen, those arrested on Feb 25th along with money had been given bail.

 CI de Silva said that the gang had duped gullible persons using social media platforms. Attorney-at-law Charitha Gunaratne had visited the Peliyagoda police station with the wife and two children of one of the suspects arrested on March 23. The lawyer’s brother, Migara, despite only being a final year law student had arrived there subsequently identifying himself as an attorney-at-law.

 CI de Silva has told investigators that he rushed to the Duty Officer’s room after hearing loud noises. Duty Officer, a Sub Inspector has alleged that Migara Gunaratne handed over his hand phone to one of the Uzbek women in custody and when CI de Silva inquired why he did so and demanded that he hands over the phone immediately, the law student pushed the officer. The officers present therein had exercised their right to use force to arrest the suspect and recover the phone.

The police later produced Migara Gunaratne before Judicial medical Officer, Ragama who after having examined the law student stated that he suffered minor injury.

CI de Silva alleged that subsequently, Migara Gunaratne posted a picture of himself with a quite serious looking injury on his face. However, before the law student accompanied by police left for Ragama Hospital, a policeman had taken a picture with minor injury on his face, CI de Silva said.

Having followed proper procedures in bringing the situation to relevant authorities, the four interdicted police officers are awaiting the outcome of the investigations.

In respect of three constables, Kelaniya ASP (1) can decide to reinstate them whereas the decision on the CI rests on Senior DIG Deshabandu Tennakoon, in charge of the Western Province.

CI de Silva has initiated the investigation following instructions received from SSP Roshan Dias. SSP Dias has ordered an investigation after a young couple duped by a person to the tune of Rs. 1.4 mn after promising them USD 80,000 from a foreign party. The arrest of four Nigerians and two Uzbek women followed leading to the arrest of three more influential persons on Feb 23 and 25, respectively.