The Island.lk: Colombo: Thursday,
September 15, 2016.
The police
investigating the alleged disappearance of G.P. Gayashan arrested by a group of
police officer who came in a private vehicle on the late afternoon of Sept. 5
at Bandagiriya in the Hambantota police area in connection with theft of a
stock of paddy.
However, the
arrest hadn’t been recorded and an attempt had been made initially to deny any
knowledge thereof, Deputy Inspector General of Police and attorney-at-law Ajith
Rohana said.
Addressing
the post-Cabinet briefing at the Information Department, Police Spokesman DIG
Rohana said that the officers attached to the Hambantota police had
subsequently admitted to arresting the youth along with two other suspects and
taking them to the police station.
When The
Island pointed out that there couldn’t be any justification in using private
vehicles to take suspects into custody particularly against the backdrop of the
previous government being accused of routinely deploying ‘white vans’ for the
same purpose, DIG Rohana asserted that the two situations couldn’t be compared.
The DIG
insisted that the police could use private vehicles and there was absolutely
nothing wrong in that practice.
The Police
Spokesman acknowledged that the vehicle used by the police team had been
provided by the person who lodged a complaint in respect of the missing paddy
stock.
Responding to
a spate of questions regarding the circumstances under which the missing boy
had been arrested, DIG Rohana said that those responsible for the arrest as
well as the Officer-in-Charge of the suspect at the police station had made
contradictory statements on the incident. Five personnel, including the
Officer-in-Charge of the police station had been transferred pending further
investigations, the police spokesman said.
Responding to
another query posed by a Colombo-based Indian journalist, DIG Rohana said that
the police had been investigating Hambantota police claim that the suspect had
escaped after being arrested and brought into the police station.
Asked whether
a police officer stationed at Ambalanthota station had been directly involved
in the disappearance and the arrest had been made at his behest, DIG Rohana
denied any knowledge though he promised that the police would conduct a
thorough investigations.
The Police
Spokesman repeatedly emphasised that investigators hadn’t so far come across
any evidence to suggest the police were responsible for any criminal offence
though they violated police procedures in respect of the issue at hand.
According to
the DIG, about 30 statements had been recorded so far and the investigations
were proceeding under the direct supervision of IGP Pujith Jayasundera.
The police
would also inquire into allegations that the suspects arrested in connection
with the alleged theft of a stock of paddy had been brutally assaulted.
DIG Rohana
said that they would be able to brief the media regarding the progress within
two days.
Responding to
a recent statement attributed to Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakse, PC, as
regards the conduct of the police, DIG Rohana said that the police world over
faced challenges. The situation in Sri Lanka was no different, the DIG said,
adding that there could be some black sheep in the 83,000 strong department.
Media and
Parliamentary Reforms Minister and Co-Cabinet Spokesman Gayantha Karunatilleke
said that once the police appoint Information Officers to police stations in
accordance with the Right to Information (RTI) Act, the media could obtain
required information.
Co-Cabinet
Spokesman Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said that having served the previous
administration, the police couldn’t change overnight. Minister Senaratne said
that allegations had been made against not only police officers but politicians
and journalists as well.
DIG Rohana
assured that there would be a thorough probe and anyone found guilty would be
dealt at department level in addition to criminal proceedings depending on the
outcome of the inquiry.
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