May 09 mayhem: C’bo HC lawyers gun for Johnston

Change at CID top amidst high profile probe

By Shamindra Ferdinando

The Colombo High Court Lawyers’ Association has questioned newly appointed DIG, CID, Prasad Ranasinghe as regards, what the outfit called, the glaring double standards in dealing with SLPP lawmakers under investigation over their alleged involvement in the unprovoked attacks on people demanding the resignation of the government on May 09.

Association’s President Lakshman Perera yesterday (25) told The Island that the CID arrested two lawmakers, Sanath Nishantha and Milan Jayatilleke, on May 17, whereas several other members of Parliament, including Johnston Fernando, the main speaker at the Temple Trees event, that had been widely blamed for the subsequent violence, were yet to be produced in court.

Attorney-at-Law Perera made available to The Island, a copy of a letter, dated May 25, addressed to DIG Ranasinghe by Attorney-at-Law Tenny Fernando, the convener of the Colombo High Court Lawyers’ Association. The letter has been also copied to IGP C.D. Wickramaratne, HRC Chairperson retired Supreme Court justice Rohini Marasinghe and Attorney General Sanjay Rajaratnam.

Pointing out that MP Jayatilleke hadn’t been even in the group of persons who were slapped with a travel ban, lawyer Perera has asked DIG Ranasinghe whether he is in possession of any evidence which may have contributed to the arrest of Jayatilleke and Sanath Nishantha other than video footage and photographs taken on that day.

DIG Ranasinghe, who had been based in Nuwara Eliya, was brought in on May 23 as DIG, CID, after DIG. W. Tillekeratne, the senior officer in charge of the unit asked for a transfer.

Lawyer Perera said that before the change of leadership took place at the CID, the police recorded several statements, regarding the May 09 incidents, although MP Johnston Fernando was called in following the transfer of Tillekeratne. The CID recorded Johnston Fernando’s statement over four hours on May 24.

Among those who had been questioned so far were lawmakers Namal Rajapaksa, Johnston Fernando, Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Sanjeewa Edirimanne, Rohitha Abeygunawardena and C.B. Ratnayake.

Lawyer Perera said that no less a person than President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, in a televised address to the nation, on May 11, assured that those who instigated violence would be dealt with.

Maj. Gen. (retd.) Jagath Alwis, who had been the Secretary to the Public Security Ministry, at the time of the incidents, no longer serves the Ministry. S. Hettiarachchi, on Tuesday, received appointment as Secretary, Public Security Ministry, from President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

The Colombo High Court Lawyers’ Association alleged that the police had gone flat out in Colombo, its suburbs and the provinces where over 1,500 persons were taken into custody over their alleged involvement in the retaliatory attacks, whereas the CID dragged its feet over the initial investigation.

The outfit warned DIG Ranasinghe that the failure on their part to conduct an impartial investigation would cause irreparable damage to the once-respected unit.

Tillekeratne, who had been once assigned to President Mahinda Rajapaksa security unit, was named Director, CID, in late Oct 2021. Tillekeratne succeeded Prasad Ranasinghe. Now, Ranasinghe has been brought back to the CID, as the DIG, in charge of the unit. In his previous stint, Tillekeratne had been Director, CID.

Lawyer Perera said that they closely followed the case amidst growing concerns that relevant laws were being applied on an individual basis or common principles in terms of the Criminal Procedure Code Act No 15 of 1979.

The Attorney-at-Law also drew the public attention to serious accusations directed at the SLPP hierarchy, in Parliament, with lawmaker Dr. Ramesh Pathirana alleging the Senior DIG in charge of Colombo disregarded President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s specific instructions to stop the SLPP march on Galle Face.

Responding to another query, the lawyers’ spokesperson said that they planned further action, depending on the CID Chief’s response. The official appreciated the action initiated by the Attorney General, as regards the May 09 attack on protesting public, though the police seemed to be dragging their feet.