Top officers of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) have raised fears over their safety and one officer last week informed the court that he was facing pressure from the highest office in the country, The Sunday Morning newspaper reported today
Officer-In-Charge of the Gang Robberies Branch of the CID, IP Nishantha Silva told the Colombo Fort Magistrate that he had been facing numerous difficulties while conducting his duties as a police officer and was also under pressure from the highest office in the country.
He said this while filing another B-report in court related to the abduction and disappearance of 11 youths.
IP Silva has also informed the court that investigations had been directed to maintain law and order in the country and to ensure justice to those who lost their lives.
He had also noted that the family members of the youth reported missing believed that they would one day get justice.
Meanwhile, The Sunday Morning also learnt that several key investigators have decided to write to the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL), top officials of the Police Department, and to foreign diplomats about the possible threats that they would have to face if military personnel in custody after being arrested over various crimes were released.
A senior police officer told The Sunday Morning that all procedures in relation to the naming of suspects, questioning, taking them into custody, and releasing them on bail had been done as per the legal provisions and with the permission of either the Magistrate Court or the High Court.
One CID investigator, who did not wish to be named, told The Sunday Morning that he and his family members live in fear as he was involved in some of the investigations into cases involving military personnel.
Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa had recently said that military officers arrested and remanded without evidence would be released if he becomes president.
When contacted, Rajapaksa’s Media Spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella told The Sunday Morning that ongoing investigations would be continued even under an SLPP Government.
However, when asked about fears over the safety of some CID officers, Rambukwella said those who had conducted investigations based on political influence will naturally be concerned.
“Obviously people who acted according to the whims and fancies of politicians are worried because they know the dubious activities they have engaged in,” he added.
Courtesy: Colombo Gazette
