CCD visits Welikada prison to probe Rishad’s alleged threats to doc

By Norman Palihawadane

A team of Colombo Crime Division (CCD) officers visited the Welikada Magazine Prison yesterday to investigate a complaint that MP Rishad Bathiudeen threatened a prison doctor with death.

A doctor serving at the Magazine Prison, where MP Bathiudeen is in remand custody, has lodged a complaint with the Borella police that the MP threatened him with death.

According to the complaint, MP Bathiudeen obstructed the duties of the doctor while he was treating an inmate on 15 Aug. The doctor asked MP Bathiudeen to wait outside for his turn.

Thereafter MP Bathiudeen threatened the doctor with death.

MP Bathiudeen allegedly told the doctor that he had parliamentary privileges and was treated well by both the government and the Opposition.

Police said the investigating officers had recorded statements from the doctor.

Prison spokesman Prisons Commissioner Chandana Ekanayake said the Prisons Department had launched a separate investigation. The inquiry was in progress under an Assistant Superintendent of Prisons, he said, adding that the CCD too had recorded statements from those who had been present when the MP issued death threats to the doctor.