• Minister John Amaratunga asks why Police went to Gota’s home to record statement instead of summoning former Defence Secy to CID

The Inspector General of Police N.K. Illankoon (IGP) yesterday announced that the investigations into the controversial Avant Garde floating armoury have almost reached a conclusion and the advice of the Attorney General would be sought to take the necessary follow-up steps. “The investigations concerning the Avant Garde floating armoury are now in its last stages. All that is required now is for us to seek the advice of the Attorney General Department due to the complicated nature of this case and then to move towards the next step,” the IGP said at a press conference, which was also attended by Minster of Public Order, Disaster Management and Christian Affairs John Amaratunga. “We have concluded recording statements from the former Defence Secretary now and what is left for us to do at present regarding this case is to approach the Attorney General and then act accordingly,” Illankoon added. Commenting further about the investigation, the Police also said that they objected to Avant Garde Security Services Chairman from leaving the country though the person in question had fled the island. Commenting on the case, Minister Amaratunga questioned the Police why they had to visit former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s house to record his statement instead of summoning him to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) like they do regarding other cases, to which the Police failed to give an answer. Speaking about the other cases that are being investigated at present by the CID, the IGP said that they would take the necessary action against the accused people according to the proof they find. “Regarding the case concerning the Presidential Secretariat vehicles we have apprehended the Transport Director and we will not hesitate to arrest others according to the information and proof we obtain. There are some other pending cases at the CID which are being currently investigated. All of these cases will be investigated. So far we have produced three former Ministers in Court. At the moment there are about 11 major cases under CID investigations,” Illankoon said.

John assures independent Police service   Minster of Public Order, Disaster Management and Christian Affairs John Amaratunga - Pic by Shehan Gunasekara     Minister of Public Order John Amaratunga yesterday said an independent Police service in the country would soon be implemented with the help of the Opposition, while requesting the Police to compile a list of all unresolved complaints filed by the people with the Police. The Minister made these remarks during a press conference held yesterday in Colombo. Addressing the media, he said: “The people are waiting to see the results of these investigations because everyday investigations are conducted, but still we haven’t seen any results. During the election we said that we would catch all the crooks; these promises that we made have to be fulfilled.” Stating that he hoped the Police Department would find answers to these investigations soon, Amaratunga added that so far only two people had been apprehended. “We want to know who is behind the murders of Baratha Lakshman Premachandra and Lasantha Wickrematunge. We want to know the truth behind the Rathupaswala incident and behind the killings at the prison. What happened to Prageeth Eknaligoda and how did the rugby player Thajudeen die? Why isn’t the Police arresting Duminda Silva? I would also like to know whether any of these significant cases have been sent to the Attorney General’s Department and a cover up is being attempted.” Answering a question raised by the media on whether any ‘political deals’ were in process thus delaying the course of action regarding these investigations, Amaratunga denied it, saying that the Government had asked the Police to take necessary action against the guilty. “There are no political deals in our Government and we will not associate any crooks because if we do, then we cannot face the public at the next general election,” he said. Commenting about the Police Department, Amaratunga said that during the previous regime the Police was mistreated while all the privileges were given to the Army and as a result the Police helped conduct a free and fair election during the presidential polls. “In our Government there is nobody to give orders or instructions to the Police or to the Inspector General of Police (IGP). Everything was politicised during the previous regime and the Police did not have the freedom to work independently. However, under the present Government all of that has changed now, so we request the Police to conduct these investigations properly and swiftly,” Amaratunga said.(JP)

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