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TID chief wanted commando training for his men, STF chief tells CID
View(s):The Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) head DIG Nalaka Silva sought commando training for a group of policemen in his organisation, the Special Task Force (STF) Commandant has told the Criminal Investigation Department.
DIG M.R. Latiff, who heads the commando arm of the Police, has said in a statement to CID detectives that a request for specialised training had been forwarded to him with the approval of the Police Chief, Pujith Jayasundera.
He has, however, not acted on them in the light of the reported controversy and wished to make a voluntary statement since he was duty bound to do so.
The CID has intensified its probe to ascertain whether the obtaining of two Light Machine Guns from the Police Central Armoury, with the approval of the Police Chief, and the need to train commandos had any relevance to the alleged conspiracy to kill President Maithripala Sirisena and former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
This is particularly since TID is only an investigative unit and was not a combat arm of the Police Department. Moreover, other similar Police investigative units have only been issued with small arms and not high calibre weapons for the security and protection of their assets and personnel.
Namal Kumarage, a self-styled anti-corruption activist alleged at a news conference that DIG Silva had spoken about the conspiracy on the telephone with him. He played tapes of telephone conversations, which he alleged, had the voice of DIG Silva. It is now being analysed by the Government Analyst. The TID head has been placed on compulsory leave which means he will not be entitled to any salary or other benefits.