News
Interdiction of four cops over alleged assault: CI asks why Police Legal Division won’t represent them
…finds fault with Inspectors’ Association, too
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Chief Inspector Linton de Silva yesterday (5) questioned the rationale in law enforcement officers interdicted over unsubstantiated accusations being deprived of assistance through the Police Legal Division.
The veteran investigator said that he was struggling to meet legal costs after he was interdicted along with three police constables on February 26, within 24 hours after a law student Migara Gunaratne accused them of assaulting him at the Kelaniya Divisional Criminal Investigation Detective Bureau located at the Peliyagoda police station.
CI de Silva also questioned how the Inspectors’ Association turned a blind eye to the plight of him and the three constables interdicted without an inquiry.
“We were denied a fair inquiry. I’m quite ashamed of the way the police reacted to unfounded accusations,” De Silva said, underscoring the need to review the entire process.
Responding to another query, the officer said that he believed the Public Security Ministry would take tangible measures in that regard.
The officer also said that the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), should inquire into the case as Migara Gunaratne entered the police station identifying himself as an attorney-at-law though he was only a final year law student.
Acknowledging that there was a spate of accusations in respect of the police conduct, the investigator emphasized those being accused, too, should receive a fair hearing.
The CCD took over the controversial investigation from the SIU amidst accusations the policemen hadn’t been treated justly.
The officer emphasized that by preventing them from seeking assistance from the Police Legal Division their Department found them guilty before the conclusion of the ongoing proceedings at the Magistrate’s court (no 05) at Hulftsdorp.
According to statements recorded by the police inquiring into the incident at the Peliyagoda police station, the special unit led by CI de Silva had arrested eight persons wanted for cheating people. The arrested included four Nigerians, two Uzbekistan women and a local couple. Having obtained Detention Orders in respect of the eight, the investigators acting on the information obtained from those detained, on Feb 25 arrested three others. Their arrests led to the recovery of over Rs. 8 mn whereas investigations revealed the existence of a covert operation that facilitated the transferring of money collected here through illegitimate means to Dubai. Of the recovered money, over Rs 7.5 mn had been hidden in the ceiling. The police identified a Canada based person who played a major role in the operation.
Since the interdiction of four policemen, those arrested on Feb 25th along with money had been given bail.
CI de Silva said that the gang had duped gullible persons using social media platforms. Attorney-at-law Charitha Gunaratne had visited the Peliyagoda police station with the wife and two children of one of the suspects arrested on March 23. The lawyer’s brother, Migara, despite only being a final year law student had arrived there subsequently identifying himself as an attorney-at-law.
CI de Silva has told investigators that he rushed to the Duty Officer’s room after hearing loud noises. Duty Officer, a Sub Inspector has alleged that Migara Gunaratne handed over his hand phone to one of the Uzbek women in custody and when CI de Silva inquired why he did so and demanded that he hands over the phone immediately, the law student pushed the officer. The officers present therein had exercised their right to use force to arrest the suspect and recover the phone.
The police later produced Migara Gunaratne before Judicial medical Officer, Ragama who after having examined the law student stated that he suffered minor injury.
CI de Silva alleged that subsequently, Migara Gunaratne posted a picture of himself with a quite serious looking injury on his face. However, before the law student accompanied by police left for Ragama Hospital, a policeman had taken a picture with minor injury on his face, CI de Silva said.
Having followed proper procedures in bringing the situation to relevant authorities, the four interdicted police officers are awaiting the outcome of the investigations.
In respect of three constables, Kelaniya ASP (1) can decide to reinstate them whereas the decision on the CI rests on Senior DIG Deshabandu Tennakoon, in charge of the Western Province.
CI de Silva has initiated the investigation following instructions received from SSP Roshan Dias. SSP Dias has ordered an investigation after a young couple duped by a person to the tune of Rs. 1.4 mn after promising them USD 80,000 from a foreign party. The arrest of four Nigerians and two Uzbek women followed leading to the arrest of three more influential persons on Feb 23 and 25, respectively.
The U.S. Embassy in Colombo welcomed the U.S. Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, former National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) players Stephen Howard and Astou Ndiaye, from June 8 through 14.
The Public Diplomacy section of the U.S. Embassy said that it would launch a weeklong basketball program intended to harness the unifying power of sports, made possible through collaboration with Foundation of Goodness and IImpact Hoop Lab.
While in Sri Lanka, Howard and Ndiaye, both retired professional basketball players, will conduct a weeklong program, Hoops for Hope: Bridging Borders through Basketball. The Sports Envoys will lead basketball clinics and exhibition matches and engage in leadership sessions in Colombo and Southern Province for youth aged 14-18 from Northern, Uva, Eastern and Western Provinces, offering skills and leadership training both on and off the court. The U.S. Envoys will also share their expertise with the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation, national coaches, and players, furthering the development of basketball in the country. Beyond the clinics, they will collaborate with Sri Lankan schoolchildren to take part in a community service project in the Colombo area.
“We are so proud to welcome Stephen and Astou as our Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, to build on the strong people-to-people connections between the United States and Sri Lanka,” said U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung. “The lessons that will be shared by our Sports Envoys – communication, teamwork, resilience, inclusion, and conflict resolution – are essential for leadership development, community building, equality, and peace. The U.S. Sports Envoy program is a testament to our belief that sports can be a powerful tool in promoting peace and unity.”
SJB Colombo District MP Mujibur Rahuman in parliament demanded to know from the government the reasons for CEB suspending the leave of all its employees until further notice from Thursday.
MP Rahuman said that the CEB has got an acting General Manager anew and the latter yesterday morning issued a circular suspending leave of all CEB employees with immediate effect until further notice.
“We demand that Minister Kanchana Wijesekera should explain this to the House. This circular was issued while this debate on the new Electricity Amendment Bill was pending. There are many who oppose this Bill. The Minister must tell parliament the reason for the urge to cancel the leave of CEB employees,” the MP said.However, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena prevented Minister Wijesekera responding to the query and said that the matter raised by MP Rahuman was not relevant.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) successfully concluded the 8th Annual CIPM Symposium, which took place on 31st May 2024. Themed “Nurturing the Human Element—Redefining HRM in a Rapidly Changing World,” the symposium underscored the pivotal role of human resource management (HRM) in today’s dynamic global landscape. Since its inception in 1959, CIPM has been dedicated to advancing the HR profession through education, professional development, and advocacy, solidifying its position as Sri Lanka’s leading professional body for HRM.
Ken Vijayakumar, the President of the CIPM, graced the occasion as the chief guest. The symposium commenced with the welcome address by the Chairperson, Prof. Arosha Adikaram, followed by the Web Launch of the Symposium Proceedings and Abstract Book by the CIPM President. The event featured distinguished addresses, including a speech by Chief Guest Ken Vijayakumar, President of CIPM, and an address by Guest of Honor Shakthi Ranatunga, Chief Operating Officer of MAS Holdings Pvt. Ltd., Sri Lanka.
The symposium also featured an inspiring keynote address by Prof. Mario Fernando, Professor of Management and Director of the Centre for Cross Cultural Management (CCCM) at the University of Wollongong, Australia.
Vote of Thanks of the inauguration session was delivered by Dr. Dillanjani Weeratunga, Symposium Co-chair.
The symposium served as a comprehensive platform for researchers to present their findings across a wide range of critical topics in HRM. These included Cultural Diversity and Inclusion, Talent Development and Retention, Ethical Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility, Adapting to Technological Advancements, Mental Health and Well-being at Work, Global Workforce Challenges, Employee Empowerment, and Reskilling and Upskilling.
The plenary session was led by Prof. Wasantha Rajapakse. Certificates were awarded to the best paper presenters during the valedictory session, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Kamani Perera, Manager of Research and Development.
The annual symposium of CIPM was a truly inclusive event, attracting a diverse audience that spanned undergraduates, graduates, working professionals, research scholars and lecturers. This widespread interest highlights the symposium’s significance in the field of HRM, offering a unique opportunity for everyone to network and learn from scholarly brains.The CIPM International Research Symposium was sponsored by Hambantota International Port, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), E B Creasy & Co. PLC, and Print Xcel Company.
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
