Swiss Embassy staffer arrives to give statement to CID

By Nimanthi Ranasinghe   

A senior officer of the Criminal Investigation Department(CID) said that the Swiss Embassy staffer identified as Garneir Banister Francis who was allegedly abducted had arrived yesterday at the CID to give a statement.   

He said that Garneir Banister Francis came to the CID at about 2.00 p.m. as per the order issued by Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court on December 3. She had been accompanied by two lawyers and a group of diplomatic officials.   

It was reported that the Swiss Embassy had informed the Homicide Investigation Unit of the CID that she was to come in order to make a statement with regards to the incident.   
The Second Secretary of the Swiss Embassy complained to the CID on November 27 in writing. He had stated that this female staffer working at the Swiss Embassy of Sri Lanka had been kidnapped by a group of five people who had come by a white van near St. Bridget’s Convent in Cinnamon Gardens police division on November 25.  According to the complaint, she had been sexually assaulted and questioned over giving visa to Nishantha Silva and had been released later after checking her mobile phone.   

The CID sought court orders on December 3, preventing Garnier Banister Francis from leaving the country until she provides a statement and the courts issued an order preventing her from leaving the country till today.The case is to be taken before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today. Sources said that her statement had been recorded for about five hours. Before recording the statement, her health condition had been checked after directing her to the Colombo Judicial Medical Officer. She has left the CID at about 7.00 p.m. after giving her statement.