Arrested Army soldiers not involved in any criminal activity: Military Spokesman

Three civil-clad Army soldiers arrested by the Police Monday night while they were travelling in a white van with a firearm were not involved in any criminal activity, Military Spokesman Brigadier K.J Jayaweera said.

Speaking to media yesterday during a briefing at the Media Centre for Ministry of Defence, Brigadier Jayaweera said the preliminary investigations by the Sri Lanka Military Police into Monday night’s arrest of the three Army soldiers have confirmed that neither those soldiers, nor the vehicle in question, was involved in any criminal act whatsoever.

However, necessary legal action would be instituted against breach of military law, if any upon completion of Military Police investigations, he said.

Responding to media queries, Brigadier Jayaweera added that according to the investigations of the Military Police those three soldiers in question were not found involved in any political agenda or any other illegal act as alleged by some.

“On the instructions of the Secretary Defence and the Commander of the Army, Military Police are conducting a parallel investigation and the Military Police have been asked to fully cooperate with Police investigations too. Like in previous instances, impartial investigations, despite ranks are underway and more information could be revealed afterwards upon completion of investigations,” he added.

Brigadier Jayaweera said the vehicle and the weapon had been issued to Major General Prasanna Silva.

When asked whether any action had been taken against Major General Silva, Judge Advocate General of the Army Brigadier Ranjith Rajapathirana said that such action would be meted out only upon the findings of the Military Police investigations in the future in accordance with Army judicial procedures.