Ransom demand by ex-DIG: Investigations continuing

05 Aug 2013 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Former DIG Vaas Gunawardhana was produced in the Mahara Magistrate’s Court today on charges of having threatened and demanded a ransom of Rs.3 million from Sarath Kumara Edirisinghe alias ‘Singappuru Sarath’, who is a secretary of Minister Mervyn Silva.

Sarath Kumara -- the chief suspect in the killing of Hasitha Madawala – in his evidence told Court that Vaas Gunawardhana had asked him for Rs.3 million to avoid framing charges against him. The former DIG had already obtained an advance ofRs.1.5 million on the promise that the case would be hushed up.

Prosecuting Counsel Ajith Pathirana said the evidence on this matter was insufficient and therefore requested court to allow direct the CID Special Investigation Unit to conduct further investigations collect further evidence.

Inspector Ranjith Munasinghe said the claims of death threats and the demand for ransom cannot be substantiated because the investigations werecontinuing.

Magistrate Dharshika Wimalasiri directed the CID to conduct investigations by obtaining a statement from Vaas Gunawardhana who was remanded till August 19.

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Ransom demand by ex-DIG: Investigations continuing

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