PCoI instructs police protection for NBTS Dep. Director following threats over corruption case

The Presidential Commission probing allegations of state sector corruption has instructed that police protection be given to Dr D H Saranajeewa, the Deputy Director of the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) - a witness in a corruption case involving the NBTS.

Ms. Saranajeewa had been allegedly threatened by the former Director (Acting) of the NBTS Dr Rukshan Bellana after providing evidence before the Commission over a corruption case in which the latter is believed to have been involved, a Commission spokesman said.

Measures were taken to notify the Victims of Crime and Witnesses Assistance and Protection Division of the Police to provide security for the witness after she had complained before the Commission citing threats to her and her family.

The Commission has already commenced investigations into complaints of bribery and corruption that is alleged to have taken place at the NBTS during the tenure Dr. Bellana, the spokesman noted.

As a part of the ongoing probe, statements were recorded from NBTS Chairman Dr. Vijith Gunasekara before obtaining a statement from Dr. Saranajeewa in order to re-affirm the statements made by the former.

The NBTS Deputy Director was threatened while leaving the premises of the Commission after providing a statement for this purpose, the Commission's Spokesman said.