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Ranil queries gaps in registration details of MTD’s database
View(s):Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe questioned in Parliament on Friday why no details are available in the database of the Department of Motor Traffic in respect of either the motorcycle or the three-wheeler which had allegedly followed President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, Upul Jayasuriya.
Upul Jayasuriya
“Apparently, no details are available in the database of the Department of Motor Traffic in respect of either the motorcycle or the three-wheeler. Surprisingly, however, the details of the vehicles bearing the numbers immediately preceding and immediately following the numbers of these vehicles are available. No explanation has been given for the gap in the numbering. Registration of certain vehicles are held back if they are connected with special security operations. Unless these two fall into this category, the details should be available,” Mr Wickremesinghe said, making a special statement in Parliament.
A complaint has been made at the Cinnamon Gardens Police Station, that suspicious characters with full face helmets on a motorcycle had followed Mr Upul Jayasuriya while on his way from Hulftsdorf. The motorcyclists had followed Mr Jayasuriya from Hulftsdorf to Galadarai Hotel, where he remained for about half-an-hour, and during this period the motorcyclists had remained outside the hotel, notwithstanding the fact that this is a high security area in front of the Presidential Secretariat,” he said.
Mr. Jayasuriya had then proceeded to an office at Sir Ernest De Silva Mawatha, where he had remained for about two to three hours, and here too, the motorcyclists had remained outside. The duo had also been seen talking to a three-wheeler driver. The number of the motorcycle was WP UB 4072, while that of the three-wheeler was 207-5314.
He added that two motorcyclists had also been observing Mr. Jayasuriya’s residence on July 15 and 17, and a complaint made in this regard at the Thalangama Police Station. The authorities however, failed to trace any details regarding these suspicious persons, or even their vehicles.
Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratna in response said that no breakthrough has been made in the Police investigations into the complaint lodged by Mr Jayasuriya.
“The Police are investigating to identify the persons and the motive behind their behavior,” the Prime Minister said.
He added that Police are analysing CCTV footage located along the route taken by Mr Jayasuriya, to assist them in their investigations. He said that the number plates on the motorcycle and the three-wheeler in question were found to be fakes.