Police witch-hunt leaves Palestinian investor languishing in jail

5 June 2023 08:34 am - 11 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

A Palestinian national who had invested in a hotel and restaurant in Hikkaduwa, was arrested and was languishing in the Galle remand prison for 14 days with the police not filing charges apparently due to vested, dubious interests, Daily Mirror learns.

The investor requested anonymity fearing possible adverse repercussions from authorities. His crime -the loss of his passport.

On 1 June the Galle Magistrate ordered his release on bail. According to Amith Weerasekera, the lawyer representing the investor, the Magistrate reprimanded the Police, asking them not to waste the time of Court by bringing accused before him without even filing charges.

The investor had mislaid his passport at the time police had asked him to hand it over for inspection. The Palestine Embassy, once the problem was brought to their notice, identified the suspect as being a Palestinian citizen who entered the country on a valid passport with the intention of investing in Sri Lanka.

A few days after his arrest the embassy provided the accused a fresh passport along with letters confirming he (the accused) had indeed lost his passport and the document which was to be presented in court was a valid document.

The Department of Immigration and Emigration confirmed the investor was in possession of a valid visa. However, Police officials did not attend court when the case was called. The hearing was put off for 1 June 2023.

It meant a possibly innocent man and an investor was left languishing in remand custody for a longer period.

According to the accused, he was incarcerated in a cell approximately 72 sq ft. He had to share this tiny space with five others. To make matters worse, he claimed the cell was bug-ridden. The marks on over his body indicated the truth of his statement. It also had no toilet facilities, a single empty bottle served as urinal for the prisoners for each night.

Why do our people treat persons who have either invested the much needed foreign exchange in our country or have the potential to bring in the much needed capital we are need of with such disdain?

Is it that we still worship the colour of the skin of our past colonial masters, or are these little minded people just looking for kickbacks?

However, it is up to the government to ensure the capital and businesses invested by foreigners, whether they be from Europe Timbuktu or the Middle East are not disrupted by unscrupulous and corrupt elements.

Large investors from Oman were here earlier this year, but the group left alleging corrupt authorities, -bureaucrats and officials- had openly demanded bribes and other kick-backs they had no intention of paying.

In Negombo recently, an Omani investor who was involved in the apparel business was manhandled by local goons who were instigated by a local politician. (Shirly Candappa)

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 - 11

Jayantha Monday, 05 June 2023 08:55 AM

The officers responsible at galle police station should be interdicted. Also the laws need to be updated and passed in parliament where less power should be given for police officers when it come to document checking matters and automate such matters to the maximum. If they harass foriegners like this guess how these officers treat locals. Must be worst than that. This is another reason for anger among youth and anger towards politicians for not automating simple matters. For example why you need to paste a revenue copy on windscreen when number plate already exists to identify a vehicle. Also think about the papers wasted when this can be digitally used. These are areas that need to get updated.

Shariq Monday, 05 June 2023 09:17 AM

Mr.President please wake up and address these matters. Nobody will want to invest in our country if we treat people like this—there needs to be accountability for the actions of the police.

Hooray Monday, 05 June 2023 09:27 AM

In Sri Lanka for a foreigner to get along trouble free , either the foreigner has to be White ( legacy of being ruled in our own country by white invaders for 450 years ) or the foreigner has to pay bribe to the police and other officials .

Punchi Monday, 05 June 2023 09:46 AM

This is why Anthony Albanese the great Australian Leader is taking Australian Investments to Communist Vietnam and not too his cricket playing fellow commonwealth but corrupt buddies here in our dharma paradise

Abu Umar Monday, 05 June 2023 09:49 AM

Talk about our judicial system. It is the case of 'unless proven innocent' contrary to 'unless proven guilty'.

Thomas Dharmachandra Monday, 05 June 2023 09:53 AM

This is how we treat foreigners in our country, and we go begging asking them to come visit us and also invest in this Paradise lost country full of bribe takers and sadists.

Gabriella Monday, 05 June 2023 09:57 AM

This is what the Australian High Commissioner was trying to convey re: the difficulty of doing legitimate and lawful business in Sri Lanka. It’s impossible !

Kd Monday, 05 June 2023 10:59 AM

Ranil needs to be a leader and try to everyone mentally prepare themselves to create a new country. This kind of inhumane treatment is unacceptable for anyone much less a foreigner and investor.

Citizen Monday, 05 June 2023 11:49 AM

Politicians will not talk or president will not take action for these matters serious. For them small religious issues only matters due to vote base. They are not worried about the country development.

Kannan Monday, 05 June 2023 12:01 PM

Its sad that an innocent man is in jail for no reason. Release him immediately and compensate him.

Ronnie Monday, 05 June 2023 12:37 PM

The country have gone hevaya due to poor accountability education decency and honesty the country will loose jenuine opportunity rebuild this nation even after bankruptcy due to corruption bribery criminal activities Sri Lanka have failed to crackdown this useless fellows who keep sabotaging jeopardizing like wild scavengers. good for nothing barbarians will keep damaging the image of this nation gready money hungry shellfish creatures Mr President must get this fellows out soon before more damage done for this country we need quality people to lead. By example

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.

Police witch-hunt leaves Palestinian investor languishing in jail

Comments - 11

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Western purple-faced langurs see blue!

Most Viewed in News

April 15 declared a government holiday

Sri Lanka’s Rupee leads emerging markets in 1st quarter of 2024

Confusion remains if April 15 is a bank holiday

23 year old youth ends up having his testicles removed

Belgian traveller scammed in Kalutara

Corporal from Air Force Rugby pool killed in police shootout

MIRROR CRICKET

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings

Chamodi, Dewmi spins Sri Lanka U19 Women to big win

Amir, Wasim return to Pakistan national team

TODAY'S HEADLINES

Ruwan calls on Kotte Sri Kalyani Mahanayake Thera

Effectiveness of Sri Lanka’s legal system is questioned over alleged corruption: Chief Delegate

Public inconvenienced due to lack of transport

Ex-soldiers joining Russian military as mercenaries, Sri Lanka seeks details

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings

Security raised for Champions League ties after threat

SLA target four events at Paris Olympic Games

Chamodi, Dewmi spins Sri Lanka U19 Women to big win