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Huge heroin haul: Pressure on Govt. to hold impartial inquiry
View(s):Pressure is mounting on the Government to hold an independent inquiry into the largest heroin haul incident in the country involving the Prime Minister and his coordinating secretary.
United National Party General Secretary Tissa Attanayake told the Sunday Times that the Government should carry out a proper investigation into the matter.
“We understand that the coordinating secretary has resigned after taking responsibility for issuing the letter. So the best thing now is to carry out an independent investigation to know if they are in any way connected. We also hear that the quantity of heroin that was taken into custody has also been reduced. So I reiterate the need for an independent inquiry,” he said.
Mr. Attanayake said that it was irresponsibility on the part of the Government and the police to not even question Gampola Urban Council member Tharanga Wittachchi, on whose request the letter was issued and the coordinating secretary, Keerthi Sri Weerasinghe in connection with the issue. Opposition MPs Ajith Perera and Sujeeva Senasinghe also made statements in Parliament regarding this issue, calling for an investigation
Venerable Omalpe Sobitha Thera, Leader of the Jathika Hela Urumaya also emphasised on the need for an independent inquiry into the matter.
The Thera claimed his party will not be satisfied until the prevailing law is enforced on those who were involved, including the Prime Minister and his private secretary, for their involvement in smuggling the largest heroin consignment confiscated in Asia.
He said the resignation of the private secretary of the Prime Minister is not enough and if the need arises the police should arrest and question the Prime Minister himself.
He said that excuses given by the private secretary about his alleged ignorance about the drug smuggling is not acceptable.
He also stated that the resignation of the Prime Minister and his private secretary were only side issues in achieving their prime goal of enforcing law in the country and bringing to justice those who were responsible for breaking the law.
“We have made a complaint to the Inspector General of Police, and soon it will be taken up. We will see how action is taken to investigate this matter and bring those responsible to justice,” Ven. Sobitha Thera said.
Meanwhile police decided not to carry out any further investigations on the ex-official of the Prime Minister’s office.
Police Narcotics Bureau Director SSP Kamal Silva told the Sunday Times that the former coordinating secretary of the Prime Minister will not be prosecuted as there is no direct evidence to connect him to the crime.
However he said investigations are still being conducted.
“We have to work within the prevailing law and investigations will be carried out accordingly,” he said.