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CID can arrest Thilanga, says Solicitor General
The Solicitor General has advised the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) that it has the right to arrest Chairman of Sri Lanka Telecom Thilanga Sumathipala under the law without a warrant as there is a prima facie case against him.

The advice came after CID director Sisira Mendis sought clarification from the Attorney General about Mr. Sumathipala's arrest in the wake of orders by the Supreme Court and the Colombo Chief Magistrate this week.

On Wednesday the Supreme Court dismissed a fundamental rights petition filed by Mr. Sumathipala seeking a court order to prevent the CID arresting him.
State Counsel Shavindra Fernando told court that they did not instruct the Director CID to arrest Mr. Sumathipala, but that they were going to refer the facts to the Magistrate's Court and that it was up to the magistrate to take a decision.

Colombo Chief Magistrate A.A.R. Heiyanthudawa on Thursday held that the Police could arrest any suspect under the Immigration and Emigration Act if they had substantial evidence that such person had committed a cognizable offence under the Act.

The magistrate queried as to why the AG's department was moving for a warrant when the matter was clear. Following the magistrate's ruling the CID had consulted the IGP and written to the AG seeking further clarification.

The Solicitor General had written to the CID that under Section 32 of the Criminal Procedure Code the police have the authority to arrest a person without a warrant if there was a prima facie case.

Mr. Sumathipala has not been seen in public in the past two weeks. The Attorney General has given the go-ahead for his arrest on charges of aiding and abetting an underworld suspect of leaving the country for the 1999 World Cup in England on an invalid passport having also given him monies from the Cricket Board as expenses.

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