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Ajith Rohana’s return for Easter PR damage control?

27 Jan 2022

By Ruwani Fonseka The reappointment of Senior Deputy Inspector General (SDIG) Ajith Rohana to the Police Media Division, where he now serves as Senior Police Spokesperson, is part of an effort to mitigate the negative publicity the Police Department and the Government are receiving with regard to the investigations into the Easter attacks and other serious security issues, The Morning reliably learnt. Speaking to The Morning yesterday (26), sources revealed that SDIG Rohana would be the “front face” to the media over issues pertaining to the activities of the Police’s Crimes Division and Terrorism Investigation Division. They further said that SDIG Rohana would handle media co-ordination regarding “investigations pertaining to the Easter attacks and related activities”. Notably, the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) is charged with handling the investigation into the recent discoveries of hand grenades at the All Saints’ Church in Borella and at a private hospital in Narahenpita. This investigation has come under criticism from various parties – including Archbishop of Colombo His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, who accused the Police of not conducting a “truthful” investigation into the matter, and said that IGP Wickramaratne should “go home” if he could not ensure a transparent investigation.  Similarly, President’s Counsel (PC) Rienzie Arsekularatne, appearing on behalf of three of the suspects in the case of the grenade found at the All Saints’ Church, told the Colombo Magistrate’s Court on Monday (24) that the investigation was being conducted in a “flawed” manner. However, both Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chandana Wickramaratne and Defence Ministry Secretary Gen. (Retd.) Kamal Gunaratne have defended the police investigation in this regard. Incidentally, SDIG Ajith Rohana’s appointment as Senior Police Spokesperson was made by IGP WIckramaratne and Minister Gunaratne, in addition to his duties as SDIG in charge of the Police’s Crimes and Traffic Division and as a member of the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA). It is thus expected that SDIG Rohana will now actively work to disseminate information to the public regarding these investigations, so as to ensure no undue doubts or suspicions may arise regarding how they are being conducted.  


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