The Police stated that information received from unconfirmed sources regarding the murder of Janashakthi PLC Director Dinesh Schaffter could create a favourable situation for the suspects related to the incident and cause prejudice to the victims.
Speaking to the media, Police Media Spokesman, Senior Superintendent of Police and Attorney-at-Law Nihal Thalduwa said that it is observed that various pieces of information regarding Schaffter’s death is currently being circulated through the media. He said that the circulation of information received from unverified sources could obstruct the relevant investigations and the administration of justice. If such an obstruction takes place, he said, it could be of advantage for the suspects and cause prejudice to the victims.
Noting that the Police will work to provide the media with all the information related to the death of Schaffter in a way that the relevant investigations are not obstructed, Thalduwa said that the Police hope that media personnel will work to provide the public with accurate and verified information regarding the incident.
Schaffter died at the National Hospital in Colombo on 15 December after being found tied to the driver’s seat of his vehicle with a wire around his neck. According to a statement made by his wife, he had left home that afternoon to attend a meeting, and had not returned home. His wife had traced Schaffter near the Borella cemetery via GPS tracking. His secretary Chris Perera had then immediately arrived at the scene, following which he had taken Schaffter to the hospital. The hospital confirmed the same day night that Schaffter had passed away upon admission.
Meanwhile, it was reported on Monday (26) that in the investigations into his murder, a letter which surfaced as purportedly being written by Schaffter to his mother-in-law, containing a statement that read, “Thank you very much for rearing and giving me a person such as your daughter”, has been of particular interest to the investigators. In addition to the letter, an SMS sent to Schaffter’s mother-in-law has also drawn the interest of the investigators.
The Criminal Investigations Department has recorded statements from more than 80 persons including Schaffter’s wife Tani Schaffter, his mother-in-law, Perera, former cricket commentator Brian Thomas, and several others in connection with the investigations into the murder.