Colombo Additional Magistrate Priyantha Liyanage yesterday ordered the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to arrest Attorney-at-Law Ajith Prasanna, K.A.Gamini, Thushara Mendis and former LTTE member B.M. Wijekanthan in connection with making certain statements regarding a youth abduction case at a media briefing organised by the ‘War Heroes for Motherland’ organization on December 6, 2019.
The Additional Magistrate also issued notice on the Director of the CID to appear before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court on January 29 if the CID failed to implement the orders issued by the Court.
The CID informed Court that Thushara Mendis and K.A.Gamini had participated in a media conference which was organized by the ‘War Heroes for Motherland’ organization on December 6, 2019.
The CID informed court that the two suspects had made several allegations regarding the investigation officials and the ongoing investigation about the case involving the alleged abduction of 11 youths. On December 31, 2019, the Colombo Additional Magistrate had issued an order directing the CID to arrest the perpetrators under section 10 (1) of Assistance and Protection of Victims of Crime and Witnesses Act ( No. 4 of 2015).
The Magistrate asked as to why CID officials failed to take legal actions following the order issued by the Court.
The CID also stated that they recorded statements from four victims who have been aggrieved by the media conference held on December 6, 2019.The CID had earlier informed Court that the people who had participated in the above press conference had committed offenses under section 08 of the Assistance and Protection of Victims of Crime and Witnesses Act ( No. 4 of 2015).
Senior State Counsel Janaka Bandara, who appeared on behalf of the Attorney General, informed the Court that the CID has the capability to enforce the law even without the Attorney General’s specific advice. SSC Janaka Bandara also stated that if a person commits an offence, the law should be enforced without delay.
The Magistrate fixed further inquiries for January 29.
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