Former Colombo Crime Division (CCD) Officer-in-Charge Chief Inspector Anselm de Silva testified Wednesday before a parliamentary inquiry that he and his team were instructed to carry out a shooting operation at the W15 Hotel in Weligama on orders from then-Acting Director of CCD Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Neville de Silva.
The committee is investigating allegations against interdicted Inspector General of Police Deshabandu Tennakoon.
Anselm de Silva said he led a police team to Weligama on Dec. 30, 2023, where they fired at a hotel wall and signboard during what was reported to be an underworld gathering. He said the team came under further gunfire during the operation, and one officer, identified only as Upul, was shot.
“I immediately ordered everyone to retreat,” he said. “We could have all died if not for a delay in starting the STF bus nearby.”
De Silva said ASP Neville de Silva had claimed local police stations were informed of the operation in advance, but he later learned that was untrue. He also admitted their initial statement — which alleged a third-party shooter — was fabricated on ASP de Silva’s advice to avoid legal consequences.
“When we realized the case wouldn’t be buried easily, I gave the true version to the CID,” he said. De Silva said he is now interdicted and without access to his pension.
When asked why he complied with the order, he said, “We knowingly acted under an illegal directive. In the police, we are expected to follow orders from above or risk being sidelined.”
He added that the team used fake license plates on their police vehicle to avoid identification. One officer involved in the operation has since left the country, De Silva said.
He concluded by urging fellow officers to avoid similar decisions.
“It’s better to request a transfer than to blindly follow unlawful orders,” he said.
Deshabandu Tennakoon is accused of orchestrating the shooting involving officers from the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD), Weligama Police, and the Special Task Force, which resulted in the death of a CCD officer and injuries to another.
(newswire.lk)
(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by newswire.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)
