Columns

An official committee that probed the deaths of 27 inmates at the Welikade Prison four years ago has declared that a “fresh criminal investigation” is necessary to “ascertain the truth” and institute “criminal proceedings.”
The Committee’s report runs into more than 327 pages and copies of it were circulated amongst ministers last month. The Committee’s task was to investigate the incident and recommend action.
The Committee also recommended that compensation be paid to 16 of those killed whilst the others, it was pointed out, were ineligible since they died whilst trying to flee.

The Committee was headed by former High Court Judge Wimal Nambuwasam and included Asoka Wijetilleke, a retired Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) and S.K. Liyanage, a retired state service officer and Attorney at Law.
They were appointed by Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe on June 9, 2015. However, after the parliamentary elections of August 2015, the subject of prisons went to D.M. Swaminathan, Minister of Prison Reforms, Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Hindu Religious Affairs. Hence, the report was forwarded by Mr. Rajapakshe to Mr. Swaminathan for circulation.

Besides the 27 prisoners killed, the incident on November 9, 2012 at the Welikade Prison left 20 prisoners injured. Also injured was a Prison Officer.

The Committee has said that the “criminal investigation” it has recommended should be carried out under the direct supervision of the Inspector General of Police.” Among the reports highlights:

• The Colombo Crimes Division and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had not taken charge of the weapons that were used by the STF (the Police Special Task Force) including weapons used to fire tear gas and the weapons used by the Army. It transpired that these weapons were subsequently cleaned after firing. However, the CID had made several positive efforts, including a written request to the then Army Commander to take charge of these weapons in the custody of the Army, but without success.
• The Committee was unable to trace the Medico-legal reports of the injured from the Police, and none of the Officers of the Police agencies was able to explain.
• The Committee notes with great disappointment that the two versions emerged from the (then) Inspector General of Police (N.K. Illangakoon) and DIG Nimal Wakista (who was head of the State Intelligence Service). According to Mr Wakista, he had continuously briefed the IGP over developments and arrangements regarding search operations in the Welikada Prisons. He has said that he received verbal instructions. The IGP has categorically denied this. The version of the IGP had to be accepted as the true position, as it is well corroborated by the then STF (Commandant) Mr Ranawana. The Committee notes that the version of DIG Wakista is a deliberate misrepresentation of facts to get himself exculpated from being held responsible.

n    Evidence placed before the Committee discloses the alleged involvement of a Police Inspector attached to the Narcotics Bureau (he has been named) and a Prisons Official (also named) “for the selective killings,” as enumerated under ‘observations.’ It is also recommended that this aspect of their complicity be gone into fully during the proposed fresh criminal investigation.

Compensation of Rs. 500,000 for the deceased and Rs. 100,000 for those injured is to be paid. The total cost to the Government for this purpose will be Rs 10.1 million.

Construction work under way at the Krrish Project at Transworks House land in Fort. IA Photo

Krrish deal: Indictments to be filed, but projects go ahead
The Attorney General’s Department is to file indictments next week against a young politician and a businessman over alleged corrupt activity in the envisaged near US$ 400 million Krrish mixed development project in the Transworks Square land in Fort.

The move follows investigations concluded by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID).
However, following initiatives by Development Strategies and International Trade Minister Malik Samarawickrema, work on the project has got under way, as our picture reveals today. He has told his ministerial colleagues that the project company has submitted a new proposal redesigning its original one. The company is to carry it out in two phases — the construction of two residential towers and a Commercial Tower. This is in addition to the refurbishment of Transworks House which is a “heritage building.”

Minister Samarawickrema claims that the company will spend US$ 191 million and US$ 208 million for the two phases respectively totalling US$ 399 million. The proposal has been approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
The Krrish Group of India signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Board of Investment (BOI) on July 30, 2012 and the project was given strategic development project status. Thereafter, the Urban Development Authority received Rs. 4355.5 million for the lease of 3.7 acres of land from a total extent of 4.3 acres.

Waidyaratne as Defence Sec.
President’s Counsel Kapila Waidyaratne is to be appointed Secretary to the Ministry of Defence.
He is currently the Senior Additional Solicitor General in the Attorney General’s Department and is due to go on retirement.

A source closed to the presidency said yesterday that President Maithripala Sirisena had sounded him out and already obtained his consent for the new appointment.

The SP with the longest name
It’s perhaps the longest name of an officer in the Police Department and it transpired during a routine transfer order.
Gampola’s Superintendent of Police (SP) has been transferred to the Ratnapura Division to be in charge of Embilipitiya.
His full name:  Hakmana Dissanayake Wasala Bandara Amunugama Wijeratne Gunatilleke Rajanayake Bandaralaage Hakmana Wallawey Anuruddha Bandara Hakmana.

Bigger role for young members in UNP
Though brief, the meeting of the United National Party’s Working Committee on Wednesday morning was significant.
Prime Minister and party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe announced that the party would undergo reorganisation to provide its younger members a bigger role. He said he would undertake the task soon.
He also noted that party members like Sarath Fonseka and Ranjith Madduma Bandara should also be given positions so that they could play a bigger role.

The Working Committee is the UNP’s main policy making body. Members complained at this week’s meeting about the problems their supporters encountered when they had to get work done at the Provincial Councils.
Premier Wickremesinghe noted that the party was in alliance with the SLFP and nothing should be done to disturb that arrangement.

Laws to protect rights of disabled people
The Government will introduce laws to protect the rights of persons with disabilities.
The move follows a recommendation by the Social Empowerment and Welfare Minister S.B. Dissanayake.
The Cabinet of Ministers has directed the Legal Draftsman to formulate the draft laws for this purpose.

Better transport for school children
The Government wants to introduce new measures to ensure that a better service is provided by three-wheeler scooter taxis and vans in transporting schoolchildren.

The move follows a recommendation made to the Cabinet of Ministers by Transport Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva.
The ministers have decided that the Transport Ministry Secretary should head a committee to study the matter. The Committee is to be called upon to submit its report within two months, so that immediate measures could be adopted.

It’s fake news, says Ravi
This is what I call “fake news”, exclaimed Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake while talking to an opposition parliamentarian. The subject was a report on a website hosted from Hong Kong that the IMF had castigated Mr. Karunanayake in a report to the Government on the state of Sri Lanka’s economy.
“They don’t blame individuals in their reports. This is a distraction since an IMF team is holding talks in Colombo this week,” he said. “Ow ow, ova venava” or yes, yes, they happened, replied the opposition politico adding that he had also been a victim in the past years.