Former Director of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) SSP Shani Abeysekara was arrested yesterday by the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) over allegations he concealed evidence.

 Police Spokesman Jaliya Senaratne said that SSP Abeysekara was accused of concealing evidence in a firearms case.

Senaratne said that the former Director of the CID had been arrested yesterday morning at his residence and brought to the CCD.

On Thursday Abeysekara withdrew a Fundamental Rights petition he had filed before the Supreme Court, seeking court intervention to be reinstated to his post.

His lawyers informed court that the latest FR petition would be withdrawn as another petition had been filed earlier.

Last December, Abeysekara filed an FR petition before the Supreme Court challenging his transfer.

Abeysekara filed another petition before the Supreme Court early July seeking court intervention to be reinstated to his post.

Abeysekara was transferred and assigned to serve as the Personal Assistant to the Southern DIG following the recent Presidential elections.

 The National Police Commission (NPC) approved the transfer which was made on a request by the Acting Inspector General of Police C.D. Wickramaratne.

Abeysekara led investigations into several high profile cases involving politicians who were then in the opposition and are now in power.

Abeysekera was produced before Gampaha Magistrate last night.