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CID probes Ratwatte’s prison escapade
The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has recorded a statement from State Minister Lohan Ratwatte over incidents involving him at the Welikada and Anurdhapura prisons, Public Security Minister Sarath Weerasekara said yesterday.
He said the CID was collecting evidence, including CCTV footage and statements from prisons officials and inmates who witnessed the incidents.
“We will ensure that a fair inquiry is held and necessary action taken,” he promised.
The move came as the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) was awaiting the return of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa from his overseas visit to take up the issue, Party Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam said.
“This type of action cannot be permitted in any civilised society and appropriate action should be taken after investigations,” he said.
There was growing pressure from other constituent parties of the ruling alliance, opposition parties and civil society activist to take action against Mr Ratwatte who stepped down only from his post of State Minister of Prisons while remaining as State Minister of Gem and Jewellery.
Justice Minister Ali Sabry said the Government was awaiting a full police report.
The Samagi Jana Balawegaya and the Committee for the Protection of Prisoners are among those who have lodged complaints with the CID.
Claiming that the lives of the prisoners held under the the Prevention of Terrorism Act are threat after the incidents, tThe Tamil National Alliance has called for the transfer to prisons in Tamil-speaking areas.
It is alleged that Mr Ratwatte had stormed the Anuradhapura prison at night on September 12, called eight of the prisoners held under PTA and threatened two of them. The two prisoners were identified as Ganeshan Dharshan, a resident of Hatto,n and Madhiarsan Sulakshan from Nelliady in Jaffna.