Schaffter’s business partners questioned; no suspect yet

21 December 2022 03:06 pm - 19 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The investigation into the murder of businessman Dinesh Schaffter is making progress and the CID and the Borella Police have questioned nearly 50 people so far over the murder.

Meanwhile, it is reported that the CID had begun recording statements for the second time from certain persons based on the evidence received.

Police Spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa said that in addition to the statements from Dinesh Schaffter's wife, the CID had recorded statements from 41 people including Schaffter’s business partners, close relatives and others while the Borella Police had recorded statements from 8 people.

He said the CID had obtained telephone details of several individuals over the investigation. Earlier, the court had allowed the police to obtain telephone records of certain people.

SSP Thalduwa said the CID can also obtain telephone records of individuals without a court order.

Accordingly, those telephone details are being analyzed at the moment.

He said several teams are investigating various fields to identify a suspect. However, he said the CID is yet to make an arrest or identify a suspect over direct involvement with the murder despite several media reports claiming that there could be a close associate behind the murder.

“At the moment there is no revelation about direct involvement by a close associate to the murder. But we can only say that the investigators are paying close attention to each person close to Dinesh Schaffter whether or not he/she is a close associate of him,” the spokesman said.

When inquired about reports that there are some contradictions over the statements by Schaffter’s wife and his secretary, the spokesman said if there are such contradictions, that information cannot be revealed to the media. “Certain information is only reported to the court," he said.

Meanwhile it is also reported that more attention has been paid to the places where Dinesh Schaffter usually travelled without bodyguards.

On the day of his murder, Dinesh Schaffter was traveling from Flower Road to Borella Cemetery, and the investigative teams had reportedly focused on the restaurant on Mallalasekara Mawatha where he stopped to buy snacks.

Police sources said that all the business dealings of Schaffter are being extensively analysed and the people with whom he had business relations are also being investigated. (Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya)

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Comments - 19

roobarbie Wednesday, 21 December 2022 04:10 PM

Of course even the chief central bank robber is now the controller of the police, so do not expect any murderers to be arrested in this case. Schafter has been shafted for giving evidence against central bank robbers.

Dee Wednesday, 21 December 2022 05:05 PM

Which robbery? There were many robberies there dating back to the turn of the millennium.

Mike Revere Wednesday, 21 December 2022 05:56 PM

Leaders turning black money to white would have some dealing connections

Malki Wednesday, 21 December 2022 06:25 PM

Brian Thomas's previous employer was Maharajah who brought him to cricket board. Dinesh was also in the cricket board.Investigate hand of Maharajah

Shelly Wednesday, 21 December 2022 06:31 PM

Dozens of CCTV cameras were analyzed and found suspicious vehicles following Mr. Schaffter's car. Yet, they have not zeroed in on a suspect or made an arrest based on whose cars those are. I am sure a number plate check will reveal this information. Delays in solving this case only gives time for the criminals to fly out of the country, as is the trend nowadays, if a flight ban is not placed asap.

BuffaloaCitizen Thursday, 22 December 2022 09:19 AM

In the end, the physical execution of this crime is by the Armed Forces or State Entities. That is why we should not have war criminals still holding high authoritarian posts because to them this is business as usual.

Aquarius Wednesday, 21 December 2022 08:51 PM

These investigations are another "Pus Wedillak". So many murders, including the 2019 terrorist attacks, are still awaiting justice and the culprits are walking free. If they are not from a certain family or well connected, those responsible for the crimes would be behind bars. Sadly that is how our justice system works.

Cloy Wednesday, 21 December 2022 10:08 PM

If Rajapakshas were in power, the pundit commentators could have easily put the blame on them and act like a bunch of Interpol trained investigators.

BuffaloaCitizen Thursday, 22 December 2022 09:16 AM

That is because during Rajapakse's period, they used the Armed Forces like their pimps to bump off each and every individual and conveniently never investigated nor found the perpetrator.

Gb Wednesday, 21 December 2022 10:10 PM

Ranil knows once his presidency is over he will be charged for the bond scam slowly he will eliminate any witnesses, this murder was orchestrates by many, who has the power to do that and silence everyone involved or even witnesses, no one saw this in broad daylight?, cemetery guys always working for tips, should check their bank accounts for suspicious transactions or raid their homes to see if wads of unexplainable cash is found

Do Not Waste Time Recording Too Many Statements Wednesday, 21 December 2022 10:56 PM

The late Maharajah who was a billionaire businessman operated from Colombo and of Tamil origin was a Criminal Boss, he bribed presidents , prime ministers , ministers , top police officers and ran a criminal business in Colombo , while pretending to be a respectable businessman. I worked for him as an account for six months and fled when I realised I am working for a criminal . The cricket commentator Brian Thomas who is a Tamil Christian was brought into cricket by Maharaja to control cricket. Brian Thomas was considered by Maharaja as a con man who would follow orders and do anything for money. Brian Thomas is now believed to be a very close business associate of another Tamil Christian D B S Jeyaraj , who sometimes wrote for daily mirror, based in Canada. If the CID is serious then it has to investigate this as an important part of their investigation.

Chris Thursday, 22 December 2022 07:38 AM

Why not check the profiles of those who left the country the same day or the next day? Why did his wife check on live locator? Is this normal behaviour after 30 mins? Not like he took hours. Or was she paranoid? Were there threats to his life he did not disclose? A very deep mystery indeed.

Terrence K Thursday, 22 December 2022 07:45 AM

All these comments are a guessing game. Whilst the Police sleuths are doing a thorough examination and they will close up on the suspects on this pre planned murder as stated. I do not want my comment dilute with the reconstruction of the crime. But there is one point what I can't understand is that the victim told his wife that he was going to meet the cricket commentator but his car was seen going straightaway from his house to the cemetery with one stop as per CCTV That means he has not told the truth unless there was another person/s who had forced the direction and also the wife had used the GPS to locate the car was not the commentator contacted first if not why ?All the answers maybe under the sleeve of the Police and at the opportune time it will be revealed. It is sad to see some of the creme of professionals been lost to the country due to the brain drain whilst others have faced death due to devilish actions of politicians/persons trying to cover their footprints

Gov't to make Borella Cemetery a conference centre Thursday, 22 December 2022 09:24 AM

Why do people want to conduct a "business" meeting at the Borella Cemetery? Could he not find a better place like the Kingsbury Hotel coffee lounge. A cemetery is not a suitable location for any type of rendezvous other than a burial/cremation. In some western countries newly married couples take their photos in the rose garden of the necropolis but Borella cemetery was not suited for any sort of meeting when I last visited it 3 years ago. I question Dinesh's business acumen in firstly giving an unsecured loan of Rs 1.4 billion and secondly meeting in a cemetery to settle the loan. I feel there's more to it than meets the eye.

Andrew Silva Thursday, 22 December 2022 09:52 AM

Is it surprising the words “ still no suspects” long time ago 300 murdered and still no suspects.

Concerned citizen Thursday, 22 December 2022 10:19 AM

Looks like he was going for a rendezvous without bodyguards , drivers and snacks purchased for two people

Gaston Thursday, 22 December 2022 11:30 AM

I think CID would have good leads and food for thought if they read the comments in this thread. It is important this page publishing such comments in this manner. kudos DM!

Gamaya Thursday, 22 December 2022 11:41 AM

In fact I too dealt with Dinesh professionally, 2 years ago, and would like to say that if he liked a person, felt someone is honest, he would trust you 100% and would just casually walk up to you where ever you are, alone, and would make a meeting, seated on a road side step. So humble and simple he was.

Intiquab ( Canada) Thursday, 22 December 2022 04:39 PM

Bring back Shani , he is the best guy.

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Schaffter’s business partners questioned; no suspect yet

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