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Web journalist ‘abduction’ mystery: CCD records statements from Rajitha and son

23 Mar 2021

  • Admit speaking to journo at office post-‘incident’

  The Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) recorded statements from Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Parliamentarian Dr. Rajitha Senaratne and his son, former MP Chathura Senaratne, over a complaint made by Siyarata Web Journalist Sujeewa Gamage. Speaking to The Morning, Police Media Spokesman, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Ajith Rohana said that Dr. Senaratne and Chathura Senaratne have admitted that Gamage had visited their office in Thimbirigasyaya and that they had subsequently sent Gamage to the National Hospital, Colombo, in Dr. Senaratne’s vehicle. Further investigations on the case would be carried out by the CCD, DIG Rohana said. Speaking to The Morning on 16 March, Gamage claimed that he was conducting investigations on jihad and that this may have convinced the abductors to abduct and question him on 10 March. According to Gamage, he was tortured by the abductors, adding that they had also kept a heated knife on his hand. After torturing him for information on his sources and political contacts, he was dropped close to the Dematagoda Railway Station, as per Gamage, and it was further revealed by him that he had afterwards visited Chathura Senaratne’s office in Thimbirigasyaya and had left the office after spending over three hours, and subsequently got himself admitted to National Hospital, Colombo. Gamage also said that he had met Dr. Senaratne before being admitted to the hospital. The CCD launched an investigation into the incident and it was uncovered by them that the journalist in question had made a false complaint. According to police investigations, it was revealed that the suspect had utilised a masonry trowel to cause the burn injuries to himself. Gamage was subsequently arrested for allegedly making a false complaint. He has since been enlarged on bail. “According to closed circuit television (CCTV) camera footage, he was not dropped at a street corner in Maligawatta as had been claimed by him. The suspect in fact came out of the Dematagoda Railway Station,” said DIG Rohana. Attorney-at-Law Namal Rajapaksha, who appears on behalf of Gamage, denied the statement made by DIG Rohana to the effect that his client had staged an abduction.  


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