Probe those mentioned in Ranjan’s audio clips: Semasinghe

State Minister Shehan Semasinghe today urged that those mentioned in MP Ranjan Ramanayake's audio clips including former CID director SSP Shani Abeysekara mentioned in MP Ranjan Ramanayake audio clips.

He told a news briefing held at Temple Trees that the contents in MP Ramanayake’s audio clips were serious and that they would draw President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s attention to this matter.

“It seems that some law enforcement authorities are also entangled in this. We continued to say how SSP Abeysekara was biased in favour of the UNP. Shani and all involved in the audio clips should be probed. The government should launch an immediate investigation. We, as a responsible government, hope the President will order such a probe,” the state minister said.

He said the audio clips circulating on social media showed how then deputy minister Ramanayake had influenced the executive, legislature and the judiciary.

“Ranjan attempts to say he intervened to get the death sentence imposed on people like Duminda Silva. The Temple Trees was used as the operation hub of a political witch hunt. Not only the UNP the JVP and Patali Champika Ranawaka were also involved in it,” the state minister said.

He said the previous government had used Ranjan as an intermediary to arrest political opponents who were a threat to the then government.

“The Yahapalana government spoke highly of independent commissions. However, these clips show how their independence was blatantly violated. It is important that former president Maithripala Sirisena issue a statement over this as it happened under his tenure. He has been referred to as ‘HE’ in those clips,” the state minister said. (Lahiru Pothmulla)