Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage ordered yesterday (8) that disciplinary action should be taken against the investigating officer of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) who misled court without arresting the Customs Officer accused of releasing five containers of palm oil which were recommended for destruction from the Customs and sending them out.
The Magistrate who gave this order to the Deputy Inspector General of the Criminal Investigation Department also ordered to remove the investigating officer and that a suitable officer be appointed.
The relevant officer of the Criminal Investigation Department, who did not implement the order made by the Magistrate the previous day, to arrest and produce Customs Officer Kapila Wijeweera, who allegedly directed the containers to the Ingurukade Junction and released them, told Court that the suspect could not be arrested without the Supreme Court’s order and the Attorney General’s instructions. Accordingly, the Magistrate issued this order.
When President’s Counsel Nalinda Indatissa, who appeared for the suspects, claimed that the statement of the CID officer was false, the Magistrate requested a copy of the order from the Criminal Investigation Department.The officer failed to submit the copy to court and the Magistrate warned the officer for insulting Court.
President’s Counsel Nalinda Indatissa informed court that even if there is a case regarding human rights, it is not to be treated as a privilege for anyone, including the petitioner. ThreeCustoms officers and the Food Inspector, who had been released on bail after a travel ban had been imposed in connection with the incident, appeared in open court when the case was taken up for hearing.
The B Report further stated that these oil containers were brought to the country through a company in Malaysia and since the containers were not released, they were inspected by the Customs. In connection with this incident, two other Customs officers, a Customs Inspector and a Food Inspector and the agent who allegedly brought the five containers into Sri Lanka have been banned from travelling abroad.
Subhashini Senanayake