76 persons involved in various illegal fishing activities have been apprehended in multiple locations, during separate search operations conducted by the Navy from May 26 – June 07.

The operations also made way for the seizure of 20 dinghies employed for these illegal practices.
These operations were conducted by the Northern and Eastern Naval Command in Kadeikadu and Pudumathalan in Jaffna, Kalladichenai, Addukkupadu, Cod Bay, Poduwakattu, Kuchchaveli and Salpearu in Trincomalee as well as Palaminmadu in Batticaloa coastal areas. The individuals were held for their involvement in fishing with unauthorized nets, light-coarse fishing and night diving to harvest sea cucumbers. Apart from the 76 individuals and 20 dinghies, the Navy had also taken into custody 17 unauthorized fishing nets.

The suspects along with fishing boats and unauthorized gear held in these separate operations were handed over to the offices of Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Jaffna, Trincomalee, Echchalampaththu, Mullaitivu, Kuchchaveli, Cod Bay and Batticaloa for legal action.

(Excerpts : navy.lk)

According to a document issued by the Anuradhapura Prison Superintendent, W.M. Athula Thilakaratne who received a Presidential pardon on Vesak Poya Day, and who is also an accused wanted by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), appeared before the Anuradhapura Additional Magistrate’s Court today over a different case pending against him.

Athula Thilakaratne also came to the open courtroom of the Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate’s Court to observe the case against the Anuradhapura Prison Superintendent. This case was about the letter stating that Athula was released from case number HC/69/2018, which had been pending before the Anuradhapura High Court.

When the case against the Prison Superintendent was called, Senior Counsel Aravinda Habakkula, appearing for Prison Superintendent Mohan Karunathna, told court that his client had released Athula Thilakaratne according to the law.

The lawyer added that this was confirmed by the fact that Athula himself was present in court at that moment.

While the lawyer was explaining this, Athula Thilakaratne, who was in the open courtroom along with CID officers, raised his hand and informed the Magistrate that he was present.

Athula’s lawyer, Suranga Mohotti, also told court that his client had come to the Anuradhapura Additional Magistrate’s Court  on June 11 to appear for another separate case against him.

He added that his client was also at the Chief Magistrate’s Court at that time, appearing in open court because he had been legally cleared of case number HC/69/2018, which had been pending before the Anuradhapura High Court.

A group of CID officers, who had reportedly been searching for Athula Thilakaratne to arrest him, were also present in court for the Prison Superintendent’s case.

After the hearing ended, Athula Thilakaratne was seen chatting with his friends within the court premises and later left the area, passing the CID officers.

(dailymirror.lk)

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)