Fri, 29 Mar 2024 Today's Paper

Shani Abeysekara and others in contact with Swiss local staffer

21 January 2020 10:01 pm - 12     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

The CID today informed the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court that an analysis of phone recordings revealed that some people including former CID Director Shani Abeysekara and former Lake House Chairman Krishantha Cooray were involved in the alleged abduction incident of Swiss Embassy employee Garnier Banister Francis.

This information was revealed in Court when the case in which Ms. Francis was named as a suspect for causing disrepute to the State was taken up for hearing.

Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne directed the CID to obtain a report from the Government Analyst based on Ms. Francis’ mobile phone.

The court ordered that the report be submitted as a secret document to the court and to the CID. Ms. Francis who is on bail appeared in Court today.

The CID in its report said Ms. Francis had made a 108-seconds long phone call on November 21, 2019 to a phone number registered under AFP journalist Lakna Tharindu Paranamanna at Kalubowila in Dehiwala.

Ms.Paranamanna had given a statement to the CID on January 17 in which she has said the SIM registered under her name was given to her friend Darisha Bastian, the former Editor in Chief of the Sunday Observer.

Based on further analysing the phone recordings, it was revealed that Ms. Bastian had been in contact with former Lake House Chairman Krishantha Cooray on 21 occasions.

Mr. Cooray had used his phone to make phone calls totaling to 225 seconds to interdicted CID Director Shani Abeysekara on November 18, 2019.

Meanwhile, Mr. Abeysekara has phoned IP Nishantha Silva, who had left the country without permission, on November 23 at 9.30 am.

The CID informed the court that Darisha Bastian and Krishantha Cooray are currently abroad and that Ms.Paranamanna’s statement also said that Ms. Bastian has left for Switzerland on November 21 and her phone number had been disconnected.

Before leaving the country, Ms. Bastian and Ms. Francis had been in contact for 160 seconds by phone on November 21.

Former Lake House Chairman Krishantha Cooray had left for Malaysia on December 25, last year.

Meanwhile, the CID said it expected to summon former CID Director Shani Abeysekera, who was under interdiction to Court on January 23 to obtain a statement on this matter.

The magisterial inquiry was postponed for February 11. (Nimanthi Ranasinghe)


Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

  Comments - 12

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka
  • A Tuesday, 21 January 2020 10:30 PM

    Swiss embassy is exposed badly

    Save UL Tuesday, 21 January 2020 10:55 PM

    This man, K Cooray was the muppet master behind the appointment of two directors, the CEO, CTO and promoting another as a Chief officer at Sri Lankan Airlines in 2018. He is also the man behind some other deals. Truth shall prevail now, hopefully.

    TripleX Wednesday, 22 January 2020 03:47 AM

    Now all phone call back ups are ever ready to be submitted, but ONLY FOR THAJUDEEN’S CASE

    cheers Wednesday, 22 January 2020 04:23 AM

    Swiss Embassy's shame and Shani, Francis, Krishantha should be put behind bars for life

    Mili Mora Wednesday, 22 January 2020 04:29 AM

    Hi Swiss Embassy Any comments? You talk of due process by our Police? Now what? Close the Embassy and go back to the Swiss Alps.You Violated the Un Diplomatic Convention. Disgraceful! To quote Greta Thurberg ''How dare you''?

    rama Wednesday, 22 January 2020 06:41 AM

    traitors need capital punishment

    navaratne willamune Wednesday, 22 January 2020 07:27 AM

    pundits praised yahapalanaya govt,for being non inter fearing, independent judicial etc, true nature of the past govt and judicial system is made bare

    Gayan Wednesday, 22 January 2020 07:38 AM

    Swiss involvement is deeper than initially thought.

    ROHAN JOHNPILLAI Wednesday, 22 January 2020 07:50 AM

    how this saga has now been twisted and turned. Shani and the others will soon be guests of the president who's anyway a questionable product.

    Yehiya Wednesday, 22 January 2020 08:29 AM

    Entire people knows who is Shani.

    Yehiya Wednesday, 22 January 2020 09:25 AM

    He have the freedom to talk to anyone. He is most respected CID officer. Government will learn good lessons.

    Amal Silva Wednesday, 22 January 2020 09:42 AM

    I am baffled by this characterization by CID. How do you term these conversations are about the abduction. what are the evidence they have for this characterization. What if these call are made to enable that journalist and police officer to obtain Swiss Visa and the Swiss staffer has simply helped them get it done. That is the most logical conclusion I can make out of this unless CID have some absolutely solid evidence.


Add comment

Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Reply To:

Name - Reply Comment





Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

VAT increase: SOUNDs death knell for publishers, readers

Though the Government imposed VAT (Value Added Tax) on vegetables and other e

How female change-makers are driving Sri Lanka’s energy saving platform

Saving energy has become more of a responsibility than a habit in today’s c

A dull Ramadan awaits Muslims amidst the Soaring Cost of Living

In the coming days, Muslims across the world will welcome the Holy Month of R

New wildlife underpass to curtail HEC

As of February 2024, Sri Lanka lost another 38 elephants as a result of the H