DIG’s wife fined Rs 100,000

By Upali Ananda

When the case against former Colombo Division DIG Udith Liyanage, his wife and seven others for attempting to dig up a treasure and aiding and abetting it was taken up before Anuradhapura Magistrate Siyapath Sasindu Wickremeratne, the former DIG’s wife and seven others including an exorcist who pleaded guilty were fined Rs.100, 000 each.   

However, the other two suspects, former DIG Udith Liyanage and a soldier M.Pathmasiri Disanayake who pleaded not guilty were further remanded.   

They had attempted to dig up a treasure inside a Devala in Thimbirikadawala area in Shrawastipura. The former DIG is alleged to have interfered with the investigations conducted by Anuradhapura Police seeking the release of the suspects which amounted to aiding and abetting the offence.  

After preliminary investigations, the CID had taken over the investigations on the instructions of the IGP.   

The seven suspects former DIG’s wife D. A. Indrani Kumari Disanayake of Malwana in Veyangoda, an exorcist H.M.Eranda Indika Siriwardena of Shrawasthipura, R. M. Gunarathe of Girandurukotte, R. M. Champika Kumara of Nikagahaata in Deraniyagala, K. M. Nilantha Ratnayaka of Yanthampalawa in Kurunegala, T. M. Anura Pathmasiri of Padavi Sri Thissapura, and Amir Musthan of Dummaladeniya in Warakapola who pleaded guilty were fined.   

CID Investigation officers with SI Karunananda Wanninayake, SI Nandasena and Sergeant Ilangasinghe of Anuradhapura Police made submissions for the state.   

Attorneys at Law Prasad Dharmasena and Madara Wijesinghe appeared for the suspects.