The Convener of the Inter-University Students’ Federation Wasantha Mudalige attended a media briefing for the first in 167 days on Thursday (2).
At this media briefing, he made certain startling revelations about what he experienced during his detention.
According to Wasantha Mudalige he was arrested by a police officer identified as ASP Mahinda Wiloarachchi from the Peliyagoda Special Police Unit.
Mudalige said he was taken to the Peliyagoda Police and thereafter to an emptied out Enderamulla Police where ASP Mahinda Wiloarachchi from the Peliyagoda Special Police Unit had a pistol on the table pointed at him in a bid to instill fear.
“At the Enderamulla Police, the person identified as ASP Mahinda Wiloarachch placed a pistol on the table pointed towards me, and asked if I recall what happened to Wijeweera and Vijaya Kumaratunga. He said that is what I deserved, however given the situation I would not be killed. He hinted to return in a few years, by late post,” said Wasantha Mudalige.
Furthermore, he said that following his arrest he was moved to the basement room of the Foreshore Police Dorm and kept in the dark, and later moved to the car park close to the Nawagamuwa Devalaya.
“There is a 10 feet drop to the river. They took us there, handcuffed us, placed their weapons all around and started making phone calls. The officer said over the phone that we have arrived at the location. The vehicle was placed there, arousing suspicions, and a police officer assigned to the security of the Nawagamuwa Devalaya came and inquired over the suspicious vehicle. The police officers saw this, and wanted to chase away that inquiring police officer. That was how they acted,” he told the press.
He also added that one particular police officer revealed that this was the method used to kill the underworld members, including the one-time don Makandure Madush.
Wasantha Mudalige also revealed that the officer from the Terrorist Investigations Division ASP Ratnayake who took over the investigation is also the main accused in the case filed over the murder of a person called Army Suranga who was killed after being arrested.
“While there were officers like ASP Wiloarachchi from the Peliyagoda Police, and ASP Ratnayake from the TID many other police officers protected us. When we were taken away in secret to police stations, the police officers who were at those police stations protect us. That is why we are able to come forward and speak like this today,” he revealed.
The National Consumers’ Front (NCF) Chairman Asela Sampath has called on the Government to impose a controlled price on surgical masks and sanitisers, warning of a potential health crisis.
He said this during a media briefing.
Pointing out that the current price of a surgical face mask has increased to Rs. 50, he urged it to be reduced to Rs.10.
Although manufacturers have cited increased costs of raw materials as the reason, Sampath has emphasised that it is the responsibility of the government to intervene immediately.
“If the government does not reduce the prices of raw materials used to produce these essential items, the public will be forced to stop using them risking the onset of another pandemic-like disaster,” he warned.
The National Police Commission has approved a series of immediate transfers and appointments affecting several senior police officers.
Senior Superintendent Of Police M.S. Mohan Lal has been appointed as the Director of Investigations at the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC). He currently serves as CIABOC. He previously served as the SSP in charge of the Financial Crimes Division of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
The list of transfers and appointments is as follows:
Senior Superintendent of Police M.S. Mohanlal – From the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, as Director (Investigations) of that Commission
Superintendent of Police A.S.K. Bandara – from Ampara Division to the Criminal Investigation Department
Assistant Superintendent of Police W.T. Anuranga – from Mount Lavinia Division to the Criminal Investigation Department
Assistant Superintendent of Police B.L.A. Prasanna – from Elpitiya Division to Nugegoda Division
Assistant Superintendent of Police M.D.P. Deepthi Kumara – From Nugegoda Division to Elpitiya Division
Chief Inspector of Police J.D.D.C. Jayakody – from the post of OIC of Balangoda Police to Badulla Division for general duties.
Chief Inspector of Police W.D.K.C. Navaratne – to perform duties as OIC of Balangoda Police Station from Colombo Central Division.
Chief Inspector of Police R.P.C.U. Rajapaksa – to perform the duties of the post of OIC of the Udawalawe Police Station from the Human Resources Management Division.
Chief Inspector of Police B.P.L. Fernando – transferred from the post of Inspector of Police, Gampola Headquarters to Batticaloa Division for general duties.
Chief Inspector of Police K.M.D.N.D. Kangara – From the post of OIC of Delft Police to the post of Inspector of Police, Gampola Headquarters
Chief Inspector of Police K.W.C.N. Abeynarayana – from the post of OIC of Ankumbura Police to the post of OIC of Delft Police
Chief Inspector of Police S.S.K.Rathnayake – To perform the duties of the post of OIC of Ankumbura Police from Matale Division
Chief Inspector of Police D.G.S. Wijesinghe – transferred from the post of OIC of Nawa Kurunduwatta Police to Gampaha Division for general duties
Police Inspector M.H.N. Tharaka – As OIC of Poovarasankulam Police from the post of OIC of Bemmulla Police
Inspector of Police S.M.N.N. Siripathi – As OIC of Bemmulla Police Station from Negombo Division
The Ministry of Public Security plans to recruit 10,000 individuals under the age of 45 who have legally retired from active military service into the police force.
Public Security Minister – Ananda Wijepala announced this during the opening of the Thambutthegama Superintendent of Police office.
He had stated that a Cabinet Paper seeking approval to recruit these ex-military personnel for a 05 year period will be submitted to the Cabinet today (June 09).
Meanwhile, he also revealed that approximately 7,880 children have been identified as being at risk of drug abuse.
