Disciplinary inquiry against SDIG Jayawardena to commence soon

SC order in Easter Sunday cases:

By Norman Palihawadane

Police Headquarters is waiting for instructions from the Attorney General’s Department on conducting a disciplinary inquiry against former head of State Intelligence Service, Senior DIG Nilantha Jayawardena, as ordered by the Supreme Court last week.

Sources said SDIG Jayawardena had to be sent on compulsory leave if an impartial inquiry was to be conducted but that would depend on instructions from the AG Department. Most probably, the investigation would be conducted by an official appointed by the AG Department, sources said. As per the police disciplinary inquiry procedures, an investigation against an officer should be conducted by a superior. In SDIG Jayawardena’s case, there is only the IGP above him as

per recent promotion given to him. In this instance, the IGP will not be able to conduct the inquiry, but an official from the AG Department could do so. The question of rank did not arise when the person handling the inquiry happened to be a civilian, sources said.

Police Media Spokesperson, SSP Nihal Thalduwa, contacted for comment, said that according to the Supreme Court order, Police Headquarters was bound to conduct a disciplinary inquiry against SDIG Jayawardena.

The Supreme Court last Thursday (12) ordered disciplinary action against SDIG Jayawardena, who was also ordered to pay compensation to the tune of Rs. 75 million to the Easter Sunday carnage victims. The Supreme Court order was received by Police Headquarters on Friday (13), and forwarded to the Police Legal Department.

SSP Thalduwa confirmed that an inquiry would get underway this week. Its findings would be referred to the National Police Commission for further action, he said.Based on the current situation, Senior DIG Jayawardena will be removed as the Head of Police Administration, and Senior DIG Lalith Pathinayake appointed to that post.