AG urged to stand with remanded ex-CID director

COLOMBO (News1st): A group including the daughter of slain editor Lasantha Wickrematunge has expressed dismay on the treatment of the Criminal Investigation Department's (CID) former director Shani Abeysekara in remand custody. In a letter to Attorney General (AG) Dappula de Livera, the group said that the AG's department was able to lead evidence over several cases in courts due to the investigations carried out by the former CID director. They observed that the former CID director has been arrested based on contradictory statements made by witnesses in a murder case that was resolved years ago. Citing that Abeysekara is now said to have contracted COVID-19 in remand custody, the group observed that certain powerful individuals are acting to take his life. They insisted that police officers will not investigate serious atrocities in the future if the Attorney General’s department does not stand with the former CID director even at a time when his life is in danger.