Senior DIG Asanka Karawita to oversee CID and FCID

FCID to probe backlogged financial crime cases

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya   

Under the government’s plan to restructure the police service, both the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) had been placed under Senior DIG Asanka Karawita.    The National Police Commission has approved the transfer of Senior DIG Karawita from his current role overseeing the Senior DIG of Community Police, Tourism, and Investment, to head the CID and FCID with effect from February 12.   

Earlier, Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala said that the government had decided to establish the FCID, with a commitment to promptly investigate all pending financial crime cases that were previously not properly probed.   

Currently, the CID is under the command of a DIG, while the FCID operates as a smaller unit within it. It was reported that there is a backlog of 29,000 complaints with the CID across various crimes.    Moving forward, all files related to financial crimes will be transferred to the FCID for expedited investigations.    In line with this restructuring, DIG M.D.P. Dayaratne has been transferred from the Ratnapura District to lead the FCID.   

The FCID was originally established on February 26, 2015, by then Minister of Public Order and Christian Affairs John Amaratunga, under the guidance of then-Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.  It was headed by DIG Ravi Waidyalankara. During the Yahapalana government, the FCID was instrumental in investigating financial crimes and complex fraud cases involving state assets and funds.   

The FCID was granted broad powers to arrest civilians, government workers, and legislators across Sri Lanka without needing approval from the Attorney General or the DIG in charge of the unit.   

Meanwhile, the police said DIG P. Liyanage has been transferred to oversee the Western (Northern) Province, following his previous role as DIG in charge of the Western Province Traffic Division, effective immediately.   

In addition, starting February 12, DIG S.M.Y. Seneviratne will also take on special duties, overseeing both the Ratnapura and Kegalle Districts.