Special police unit to probe over Sudatta’s pre-arrest claim on Ranil

The United National Party (UNP) lodged a complaint with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) requesting an investigation into a statement by Sudaththa Thilaksiri last Friday on his channel, claiming that the former President would be arrested and remanded for 14 days 

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya   

A Special Police Investigation Unit is to carry out investigation into a statement made by YouTuber Sudatta Thilakasiri prior to the arrest and remanding of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe.   Earlier, the United National Party (UNP) lodged a complaint with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) requesting an investigation into a statement by Sudaththa Thilaksiri last Friday on his channel, claiming that the former President would be arrested and remanded for 14 days.   

Accordingly, a group of attorneys representing the UNP lodged a complaint with the CID, requesting an investigation into such a statement before any official action had been taken.   

The statement triggered a wave of public outrage and sparked heated debate among politicians, legal experts and civil society, with many alleging it undermined the due judicial process.   

Police Spokesman ASP F.U. Wootler said a Special Investigation Unit will be launched for investigation after the CID had referred the complaint to IGP Priyantha Weerasuriya.