• Claims suspensions not due to acts of commission or omission 
• Says Police jumped the gun, JMOs concluding manner of death 

Opposition Parliamentarian Mujibur Rahman claimed that four officials attached to the Finance Ministry, including the late External Resources Department Assistant Director, Ranga Nishantha Rajapaksha, who recently died under suspicious circumstances, were suspended on suspicion that it was they who leaked information about the US$ 2.5 million cyber fraud linked to a Government payment.

Speaking in Parliament yesterday (6), he alleged the suspensions were not the result of neglecting duties or failing to carry out responsibilities. "These officials have been suspended based on a belief that they had disclosed details of the incident. If disciplinary action was based on lapses in duty, the necessary action should begin at the highest level, including the Treasury Secretary."

Referring to the death of Rajapaksha, Rahman said that there were cut injuries and hence questioned how the Police had described the death as a suicide in statements to the media without a full inquiry being completed. “There are cut injuries on his body. But, the Police came and told the media that this is a suicide. How can they say that without a proper investigation?”

He also commented on the appointment of a committee by the Director General of Health Services (DGHS) Dr. Asela Gunawardena to examine the death. “The role of Judicial Medical Officers (JMOs) is to determine the cause of death. It is not their job to conclude whether it was a suicide or not. But, the JMOs in this committee have come to a conclusion. That is not correct,” he said, and added: “For example, some time ago, there was a death reported in Anuradhapura. The JMO said that it was due to a snake bite. Later, it was revealed that someone had placed a snake on the victim’s bed. That made it a murder. So, how can conclusions be reached like this? Who knows if this incident is something similar?” he queried.

Rahman further said that a statement made in Parliament by the Justice Minister, attorney Harshana Nanayakkara — that Rajapaksha's family had not lodged a complaint about his death — was incorrect. “Nanayakkara said the family has not complained. But, a letter from the DGHS clearly states the wife has said the death is suspicious,” he said.

He also spoke about restrictions on Parliamentary debates on the matter. “When we ask for two hours, we are given one and a half hours. When we ask for a full day, we are told that it will be given next week. The debate is being limited. These actions create a serious doubt. Something has happened here, and that is why there is an attempt to prevent this issue from moving forward,” he added.

On an earlier occasion, Ministry-Treasury Secretary Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma said that a committee made up of senior officials had been appointed to look into the cyber fraud incident. Based on the findings of internal reviews, he said that disciplinary action had been taken against several officials in line with administrative and financial regulations. The suspended officials included Rajapaksha.