Investigations against Senior DIG Deshabandu Fort Magistrate critical over conduct of CID

• Eight suspects produced in court were remanded till May 25

By T. Farook Thajudeen

Colombo Fort Magistrate yesterday critically remarked on the action of the CID for not conducting a proper investigation over the complaints made by the peaceful protesters of the MynaGoGama at Colpetty and GotaGoGama at Galle Face against Senior DIG Deshabandu Tennakoon.

 The Magistrate while commenting on the behaviour of the CID told that the CID was acting in double standards. When the Magistrate questioned the CID why the CID did not produce DIG Tennakoon in court. The CID replied that they are conducting further investigations to find out over the credibility of the complaints made to the CID by peaceful protesters.
At this stage the Magistrate further questioning the CID whether they had investigated over the credibility of the complaints made to the CID against other suspects who are being produced in court.  The CID did not answer that question and the Magistrate criticised the CID for acting in double standards and said that the Police shouldn’t be bias in their investigations as everyone is equal before the law. 

Therefore the CID should act in according to the law without being bias or favouring any party. He also directed DSG Lakmini Girihagama to give instructions to the CID in the investigations conducting against DIG Deshabandu Tennakoon.

Magistrate Tilina Gamage emphasised that if the CID is not going to make a proper investigation on DIG Tennakoon, the Magistrate would make an appropriate order.

Counsel Maitree Gunaratna PC criticising the CID behaviour told the Magistrate that the CID and the Police are acting in insincerely and favouring the political hierarchy of the ruling party and the higher-ups of the Police Department.

He underscored that the Police and the CID are not conducting a proper investigation to arrest the bigwigs but they only produce the ordinary people before the court.
The entire incident took place before Fort Magistrate Court yesterday when the CID produced eight suspects before the Court over the mob attack conducted on Monday (9) at MainaGoGama and GotaGoGama at Colombo. The eight suspects including Sinhale Leader Dan Priyasad, Moratuwa Mayor Saman Lal Fernando Seethawaka Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Gamlath Rohana and others in court were remanded till May 25.

The Magistrate also ordered the CID to produce four suspects for an identification parade on May 25 before the Magistrate Court.

DSG Lakmini Girihagama submitted to Court that all the suspects who are being produced before the court are found to have assaulted the peaceful protesters. 

The DSG moved court to remand the suspects as the investigations are still not concluded and if the suspects were released on bail there would be a public demonstration against them. 

• DSG Lakmini Girihagama submitted to Court that all the suspects who are being produced before the court are found to have assaulted the peaceful protesters