Colombo High Court acquits former ASP in Millennium City case

The former ASP, who is currently indisposed was also present in court for the verdict

By Bhagya Silva

The Colombo High Court yesterday acquitted former Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Kulasiri Udugampola, who was indicted on 22 counts, including compromising national security and unlawfully detaining military intelligence officers High Court Judge Adithya Patabendige ruled that the prosecution had failed to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case stemmed from a controversial 2002 raid led by Udugampola at a military intelligence safe house in the Millennium City housing complex in Athurugiriya. He was accused of exposing sensitive intelligence operations, but the court found no evidence that his actions had led to any security threats or breaches.
During the trial, it was established that Udugampola had been officially assigned to investigate the Udathalawinna massacre in December 2001. His search of the safe house was reportedly based on information about a suspect linked to that case. The court determined that he had obtained the necessary authorisation from senior police officials before conducting the raid and that there was no proof he had exceeded his legal authority.
The prosecution also alleged that Udugampola unlawfully detained five military intelligence officers and a civilian. However, the court found that he had acted under instructions from his superiors, and there was no evidence of wrongful detention. The defence argued that those detained had been treated fairly and that Udugampola had not acted with malicious intent. Additionally, claims that the raid endangered national security by exposing intelligence operations were dismissed due to a lack of evidence as the prosecution failed to prove that Udugampola’s actions directly caused any security risks.
Based on these findings, Judge Patabendige ruled that none of the charges were proven beyond a reasonable doubt and ordered Udugampola’s acquittal. The former ASP, who is currently indisposed was also present in court for the verdict.