Milan Jayathilake also arrested, SDIG Deshabandu records statement
Seven MPs in total to be quizzed over 9 May attacks
BY Buddhika SamaraweeraThe Criminal Investigation Department (CID) yesterday (17) arrested Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MPs Sanath Nishantha and Milan Jayathilake, and obtained a statement from Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (SDIG) in charge of the Western Province Deshabandu Tennakoon, both in connection with the investigation into the attacks on peaceful protesters in front of Temple Trees and at Galle Face on 9 May.Earlier in the day, the CID had informed Speaker of Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena that it intends to record statements from seven MPs in connection with the investigation into the attacks on peaceful protesters in front of Temple Trees and at Galle Face on 9 May.When contacted by The Morning, Private Secretary to the Speaker Wasantha Yapa Abeywardena said that the Speaker’s office had received the relevant notification yesterday (17) morning.Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chandana D. Wickramaratne has instructed the relevant Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) of the CID to take steps to carry out the investigations into the said incidents as per the Attorney General’s (AG) instructions, and to inform the latter about the progress of the same. A statement from the Police Media Division said that the IGP had instructed the CID to conduct further investigations into 22 persons who had been named in the letter sent to the CID and the IGP by the AG, as having been identified as having involvement in the incidents on 9 May, and to take necessary legal action under the Code of Criminal Procedure Act, No. 15 of 1979 (as amended).AG Sanjay Rajaratnam PC, through Additional Solicitor General Ayesha Jinasena PC, had on 16 May instructed the CID and IGP Wickramaratne to arrest a total of 22 persons, including four MPs and a top cop, if reasonable suspicion exists regarding their involvement in the incidents on 9 May.Among the said 22 persons are Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MPs Johnston Fernando (a former Minister), Sanath Nishantha Perera (a former State Minister), Milan Jayathilaka, and Sanjeewa Edirimanna. The list also included Moratuwa Municipal Council Mayor Saman Lal Fernando, SDIG Tennakoon, Nawa Sinhale organisation National Organiser Dan Priyasad, Nalaka Wijesinghe alias “Satha”, Bandula Jayamanne, Dineth Geethaka, Araabi Wasantha, Subash of the Dehiwala Town Council, Amal Silva, Sameera Chaturanga Ariyaratne, Ruwanwelle Ramani, Thusitha Ranabhahu, Sajith Saranga, Mahinda Kahandagama, Pushpa Lal Kumarasinghe, Nishantha Mendis of Moratuwa, Pushpakumara (ex-Army), and Shavin Fernando of Wennappuwa.The AG had mentioned the names of the said 22 persons as having involvement in the incidents of peaceful protestors at the “MynaGoGama” and “GotaGoGama” protest sites in front of the Temple Trees and at the Galle Face, respectively, being attacked by a group of SLPP supporters. He had stated that the said persons were identified to be involved in the incidents, upon careful consideration of the submissions made by the CID.
