Connect with us

News

Govt. MPs seek probe against Shavendra Silva, IGP & others

Published

on

Filing a writ petition in Court of Appeal, 22 government Parliamentarians representing SLPP and several others have sought an order directing the authorities to conduct a comprehensive investigation in order to ascertain as to whether former Army Commander General Shavendra Silva, IGP Chandana Wickremaratne or any other respondents have willfully disobeyed the orders given by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to take action to prevent the damages to property and people following the attack on Galle Face protesters on May 9.

Ministers Bandula Gunawardena, Prasanna Ranatunga and 37 SLPP activists including 20 parliamentarians whose properties were damaged or destroyed following the mob attacks filed this petition naming former Army Commander General Shavendra Silva, Defence Secretary Kamal Gunarathne, Senior DIG Deshabandu Thennakoon, Army Commander Lieutenant General H.L.V.M. Liyanage and several others as respondents. The Court of Appeal yesterday fixed the petition for support on January 16. This petition is to be supported by President’s Counsel Sanjeeva Jayawardena.  

The petitioners reiterated the importance of conducting a comprehensive investigation in order to ascertain whether there was a politically motivated plan or other agenda to undermine the state.The petitioners stated that former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in the capacity of Minister of  Defence had appointed a ‘Board of Inquiry’ consisting of three highly decorated former commanders of tri forces, under the Chairmanship of the Admiral of Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda, to ascertain lapses, if any, by the armed forces and State Intelligence Service, during the recent incidents of violence.

The petitioners said the conduct of former Army Commander General Shavendra Silva during the time period material to the instant application is highly questionable and that he has on several occasions disregarded direct and repeated instructions given to him by the former President, and the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence to protect the private property of the petitioners as well as other Citizen and also the public property of the State.The petitioners stated that the Board of Inquiry has found that the conduct of General Shavendra Silva on 31-03-2022 and 09-05-2022 are highly suspicious and questionable.

They further alleged that General Shavendra Silva had disregarded repeated instructions from then President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the Secretary of Defence to take action to prevent the damages to property and people being harmed near Beira Lake at Navam Mawatha in the afternoon and to clear the mob along the Galle road in front of the Temple Trees in spite of having over 4,500 including five Battalions from the elite Air Mobile Brigade, Special Forces and Commandos stationed in different locations within Colombo city limits.

They alleged Sri Lanka Police, and the armed forces, turned a blind eye, and did not take any action to prevent the ongoing violence and protect life and property of the citizens of Sri Lanka, despite the fact that the President had even declared a state of emergency and had issued Emergency Regulations.

(dailymirror.lk)

Continue Reading

News

5 remanded over Beruwala police assault

Published

on

By

05 individuals arrested for allegedly assaulting 03 police officers in Beruwala on June 09 were remanded until June 23 after being produced before the Kalutara Magistrate’s Court yesterday (June 10).

However, the main suspects, said to be the Chairman of the Beruwala Fishermen’s Society and his son, are said to be at large.

Police have seized a lorry and a three-wheeler believed to have been used in the incident.

The injured officers are: OIC of the Beruwala Crimes Investigation Unit – Chief Inspector Madhusanka (36), Sergeant Upul (42) and Sergeant Silva (51).

The officers were reportedly kicked and punched and assaulted with helmets as well. The Chief Inspector had lost two front teeth, while Sergeant Silva suffered injuries and had his uniform torn.

The arrested suspects are residents of Reguwa Road and the Fishermen’s Housing scheme in Beruwala.

A scuffle had broken out near Siriniwasa Mawatha, when officers returning after an arrest in Maradana were caught in traffic caused by a group of those engaged in Poson preparations, leading to a dispute and assault on police, during which 02 warning shots were fired into the air.

Investigations are ongoing under the supervision of Senior DIG Kalutara Division Kavinda Piyasekara, ASP Ravindu Silva, and Beruwala OIC Chief Inspector M.R. Navaratne.

Meanwhile, a group of residents protested outside the Beruwala Police Station yesterday opposing the arrests.

Continue Reading

News

Peradeniya-Kandy train service disrupted

Published

on

By

Train services between Kandy and Peradeniya have been temporarily suspended.

This is due to a sinkhole that appeared under the railway line near the Kandy Courthouse.

Continue Reading

News

Suspended Prisons Chief before courts today as well

Published

on

By

Suspended Commissioner General of Prisons Thushara Upuldeniya, who was arrested by the CID on June 09, has been transferred to the Welikada Prison Hospital under special security measures.

The move follows a court order calling for special security measures during his custody.

He was initially taken to the Colombo Remand Prison yesterday (June 10) afternoon and was held there until about 5:00pm before being transferred to a secure ward at Welikada Prison Hospital, where he remains under tight security.

He is to be produced before court today (June 11).

Meanwhile, the Superintendent of Anuradhapura Prison, who is currently in remand custody and held at a secure location in Dumbara Prison, is expected to be produced before the Anuradhapura Court today.

Separately, Prisons Commissioner for Operations, Intelligence and Security – Gamini Dissanayake, has been summoned to the CID today for questioning regarding the recent release of an inmate under the Presidential Pardon, which had sparked controversy.

He was questioned for about six hours on June 09 as well.

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 Sri Lanka Mirror. All Rights Reserved