RW’s PSO transferred for attempting to contact Pillayan

By Yohan Perera   

The police have notified the office of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe that his personal security officer was transferred because he had attempted to contact former MP Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan.   
Following is a statement issued by former President’s office in this regard.   
Mr. Chandrakanthan’s office had informed the former President’s personal security officer that the former MP had been taken into custody by the police, but they were not aware of the charges that had been levelled against him. They had requested the former President’s assistance in obtaining this information.   
The former President was informed by Mr. Chandrakanthan’s security that he could be contacted through C.I. Madawa and his phone number was provided. The former President asked his security officer to request from the appropriate officer an opportunity to speak to Mr. Chandrakanthan.   
It has been the practice that when the former President wants a phone call made to the police, it is done through his police security details. When he wants to speak to someone in custody, first an inquiry is made to ascertain whether this phone call would be allowed or not.   
In this instance the former President’s security spoke to the relevant CID officer who informed him that they would need to seek instruction from the CID Director.   
The relevant officer rang back and informed the former President’s security that the CID Director had informed him that it was not possible to connect the phone call due to the ongoing investigation.   
Furthermore, it is the practice that a VIP is informed if his security officer is to be transferred but such an eventuality had not taken place during this instance.