It is reported that a team of officers from the Criminal Investigation Department visited the residence of Kataragama Basnayake Nilame Dishan Wickramaratne Gunasekara in Palatuwa, Matara on the night before yesterday (March 09), in search of suspended IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon, who has been ordered to be produced before the courts.

Kataragama Basnayake Nilame Dishan Wickramaratne Gunasekara told the media that a group of individuals dressed in civilian clothes, claiming to be from the Secret Police, attempted to search his house without possessing a legal warrant. It is said that this group had not informed either the Malimbada Police Station, which has jurisdiction over the area, or the office of the Matara Senior Superintendent of Police.

He further revealed that at the time the Criminal Investigation Department officers in civilian attire arrived to conduct the search, only his 84-year-old mother and two female caregivers were present in the house.

The Basnayake Nilame expressed regret over such actions being carried out by police officers in civilian clothing, especially given that the IGP had issued circular instructions prohibiting personal searches by officers in plain clothes.

He also stated that he was in Colombo when the Criminal Investigation Department officers arrived to search the house. Upon learning of the incident, he promptly informed the Malimbada Police Station and the Matara Senior Superintendent of Police.

However, as he had not been notified in advance about the arrival of the Criminal Investigation Department officers, the Matara Senior Superintendent of Police immediately dispatched a team of officers in a jeep to his residence to ensure the safety of his mother and the property.

Source – Aruna