Court of Inquiry against soldier

Army said that it would launch a Court of Inquiry on the arrest of an Army soldier with 43 counterfeit Rs 1000 notes in his possession while he was on a motorcycle with another at Pahala Kadugannawa area on Saturday.

The Army Headquarters said that Mawanella Police arrested the suspect, Private E.M Sameera Sampath (23) of Kohobankulama, Wanni Kudawewa, Galgamuwa with another youth (26) on Saturday (18) around 1.30 p.m. when he was on the motorcycle at Pahala Kadugannawa after they had tried to change one note and buy cigarettes from a shop.

The suspect from 16 Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment at Nunavil, Chavakachcheri was on leave at the time he was taken into custody with the counterfeit notes.

Soon after initial inquiries are completed, the Directorate of Legal Services at the Army Headquarters is to initiate a Court of Inquiry on priority basis for trial.

If he is found guilty by the Court severe disciplinary action would be taken, including the termination of his Army service, irrespective of the outcome in the Civil Court, the army said.