By Saman Indrajith

Parliament should be informed of the person the IGP had been talking over the phone during a police commemorative event at Ratnapura, Chief Opposition Whip and JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake demanded.

He made this comment participating in the committee stage budget debate in Parliament yesterday.

“Whom did the IGP address as ‘Sir’? Shouldn’t Parliament know the identity of the person trying shield rogues. Isn’t this political interference? The allegation that politicians exert pressure on police as regards arrest and release of suspects has been substantiated. Now the IGP has proved, albeit unwittingly, that he is following orders from certain persons. What is the use of the Police Commission in a situation like this?”

MP Dissanayake, observing that Devinuwara Devale Basnayake Nilame Dishan Wickremaratne Gunasekera was a former working director and CEO of the Mineral Sands Ltd, said the FCID was investigating the allegations against him including the misuse of state vehicles and some other deals.

“He had close links with the top rung members of the former government. It is with their blessing he received the Basnayake Nilame position. This government came to power, promising to investigate those allegations in a fair manner. How can the IGP stop the arrest of anyone? It is a judicial affair.”

MP Dissanayake also charged that the individual who called the IGP could be Law and Order Minister Sagala Ratnayake. “If it is not Minister Ratnayake he must reveal who spoke to the IGP?”

Courtesy:The Island