Police calls for investigation on IP Nishantha Silva's overseas travel

Colombo (News 1st) - Police Headquarters has informed the Director of the Criminal Investigations Department to provide a report regarding IP Nishantha Silva who has travelled overseas yesterday without approval. Nishantha Silva, the OIC of the Organised Crimes Investigation Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department traveled to Switzerland last afternoon. Police Spokesperson SSP Ruwan Gunasekera speaking to News 1st said if any police officer is to travel overseas for official or personal reasons, it is mandatory to obtain approval from the Secretary to the Ministry. SSP Gunasekera said the Inspector of Police, however, had traveled overseas without approval. He added that the IP faced criticism for operating in an allegedly biased and unjust manner with respect to certain investigations during the past 04 years, and various factions had requested an independent investigation against the IP. The Police Spokesperson went on to say, the IP had in fact left the country when no investigation or disciplinary inquiry was initiated against him. Today, Police Headquarters instructed the CID Director to immediately conduct an investigation and report back, citing the OIC of the CID's Special Unit and other Special Investigation Branches leaving the country without approval as a serious issue. Citing IP Nishantha Silva's overseas travel as a breach of Police discipline, SSP Ruwan Gunasekera said disciplinary action will also be instituted against the IP.