A report containing the progress of investigations into 6 high profile Rajapaksa era crimes was submitted to Attorney General Dappula de Livera by Acting IGP C.D.Wickramaratne yesterday.
This follows the request recently made by the Attorney General to the acting IGP asking that he expedite these and other cases. The Police report included the progress of investigations into the murder of senior journalist Lasantha Wickramatunge, ruggerite Wasim Thajudeen, the killing of 11 relief workers in Muttur, disappearance of journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda, abduction of Keith Noyahr and abduction and disappearance of 11 youth.
Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekara told a news conference at Police Headquarters yesterday that the extracts of the investigations carried out by the Criminal Investigation Department into the assassination of veteran journalist Lasantha Wickremetunge; the death of rugby player Wasim Thajudeen; abduction of Keith Noyahr; the murder of 17 relief workers in Muttur and, the abduction and forced disappearance of 11 youth had been submitted to the Attorney General.
“The relevant files of investigations have been prepared without delay and handed over to Attorney General as per his instructions to the Inspector General of Police.” Gunasekara said.
Spokesman SP Gunasekera said: “Besides the extracts of the five cases mentioned by the Attorney General in his letter, the Criminal Investigations Department has submitted a report on the progress of the investigation carried out by it on the abduction and forced disappearance of journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda, which is also among the high priority cases.”
Explaining the methodology the Police followed in preparing the investigation reports, Gunasekera said they had been prepared based on eleven aspects of the investigations on the orders of the IGP.
Asked whether any of the investigations were closed, the Spokesman said: “The CID had undertaken investigations into these cases after several years since their occurrence. Secondly the investigations in question are quite complex .
Hence from time to time we take AG’s directions for furthering the success of the investigations on a legal basis, There are difficulties when it comes to obtaining reports such as the telephone particulars from telephone companies.”
“We expect to complete the investigations in a reasonable time span,” he said. “However, the investigators have informed us that they could close the Keith Noyahr abduction case in a matter of two months.”
He said that with regard to the Wasim Thajudeen case, the Police had brought a few suspects before Courts for allegedly trying to conceal evidence.
“Police are investigating under the guidance of the AG who provides legal guidance and advice in relation to many areas of the inquiries concerned,” he said.
Add new comment