AG raises concerns over delaying investigations of five high profile cases

Attorney General Dappula de Livera PC had instructed the acting IGP to expedite the conclusion of investigations relating to five high profile cases without further delay as the investigations of these cases had not been concluded so far despite the continuous reminders by the AG.

The AG had instructed to send completed extracts (all materials of the investigations) of the investigations of the Lasantha Wickrematunge murder case, Waseem Thajudeen murder inquiry, abduction of Keith Noyar, the disappearance of 11 youths and murders of 17 persons of an aid group.

In a letter addressing to the acting IGP, the AG had noted his serious concerns over the delay of concluding these investigations by the police despite the continuous reminders of the AG.

Meanwhile, AG Livera had also observed that some files that have been submitted to the AG’s Department for legal advice are incomplete and that it is a failure of the police to comply with the provisions provided under the Section 393(6) of the Criminal Procedure Code.

Under the Criminal Procedure Code (section 393 (5)) “The Superintendent or Assistant Superintendent of Police in charge of any division shall report to the Attorney-General every offence committed within his area where, preliminary investigation is imperative for the institution of proceedings the consent or sanction of the Attorney-General is required a request for such report has been made by the Attorney-General such Superintendent or Assistant Superintendent considers the advice or assistance of the Attorney-General necessary the Magistrate so directs the offence was cognisable and the prosecution was withdrawn or cannot be proceeded with when reporting in terms of subsection (5) the Police shall supply to the Attorney-General a full statement of the circumstances, copies of the statements of all witnesses, such other information, documents or productions as may be relevant or as may be called for by the Attorney-General, and where an inquest has been held, a copy of the inquest proceedings (393(6)).

Considering the above provisions, the AG had instructed the acting IGP to inform all the divisions of the police to comply with the provisions of law when they seek legal advice from the AG by filing complete information.

“Failure to comply with the law will hereafter only result in returning the files for the due compliance”, the AG had said in a letter to the acting IGP. (Shehan Chamika Silva)