Swiss Embassy staffer provides statement at the CID

A Sri Lankan employee of the Swiss Embassy who was allegedly abducted and questioned by an unidentified group has provided a statement to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Police, local media reported.

According to reports the female employee of the Swiss Embassy arrived at the CID yesterday (Dec 8) afternoon accompanied by two lawyers.

The alleged victim was referred to a Judicial Medical Officer for a medical report before recording a statement by the CID, the State TV reported.

The Swiss Embassy had lodged a written complaint with the Criminal Investigation Department on  November 27 alleging that the woman was abducted by five persons in a white car near St. Bridget's Convent in Cinnamon Gardens on  November 25.

According to the complaint, the female officer was abducted, sexually assaulted and questioned about granting visa to a CID inspector Nishantha Silva. After checking her phone and detaining her for few hours the victim was released, the complaint alleged. 

Thereafter the CID  initiated an investigation into the Ambassador's complaint.

Following the preliminary investigations by the CID, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed the Embassy that there were contradictions between evidence collected by the CID and the account presented by the embassy on the alleged victim's movements on the day of the attack.

Accordingly, on a request made by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID)  December 3, Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne banned the alleged victim from going abroad until a statement was made to the CID.