Ajith Rohana makes request to withdraw from committee probing Mahara unrest

Police Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana today requested Justice Minister Ali Sabry to remove him from the committee appointed to probe the Mahara Prison unrest citing conflict of interest.

Minister Sabry appointed a five-member committee yesterday to look into the unrest.  The committee chaired by Retired High Court Judge Kusala Sarojini Weerawardhena comprises of President’s Counsel U.R. de Silva, Additional Secretary (Administration) to the Ministry of Justice Rohana Hapugaswatta, DIG Ajith Rohana and former Prisons Commissioner Gamini Jayasinghe.

In the letter sent today, DIG Rohana thanked the minister for placing his trust and confidence in the DIG’s abilities by appointing him as a member to the committee.

DIG Rohana highlighted that he functions as the police media spokesman and conducts regular media briefings in respect of the current issues including the prison issue.

“If I act as a member of the committee, it would be a conflict of interest and I would not be able to conduct media conferences. Hence, it is suggested to appoint another officer to the committee instead of me, in considering the above facts please,” he said.