A Fresh Investigation to be Launched Over May-09th (2022) Civil Unrest & Riots…

At a Press briefing held at Colombo on the 28 of August at Presidential Media Center, Public Security Minister Tiran Alles stated Sri Lanka Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had launched a completely new investigation into civil unrest  to violence that took place on May 9th of last year(2022).

This all took place in the midst of a petition being filed against former Commander in chief by that time General Shavendra Silva, IGP C.D. Wickremaratne and several other high ranking military officials also incharge of by that time for, not taking necessary steps and grossly neglecting in prevention of extreme levels of violence acts been taken place. Petitioners on the 23 May 2023, withdrew a writ petition filed in this regard.

The Minister clarified that the courts had permitted  withdrawal of the case after he and the Ministry had declared their willingness and readiness to undertake an investigation to be conducted in that regard in response to a query made by Attorney General Sanjay Rajaratnam, PC. The Attorney General has requested whether the Police can undertake a completely fresh  investigation and an enquiry into the incidences that took place within the last year under the recommendations made by Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda’s report on lapses on the part of the military, police and intelligence services threatened to  completely destabilize the  the whole country.  

According to the Minister he said he had received a copy of Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda’s report via Saman Ekanayake, Secretary to the President. Further the investigations are still on going stating it hasn’t been fully completed yet. Minister Tiran Alles was cautious in regards to disclosing any details of the status over the progress of the investigation.

However both the president as well as ruling government party members (SLPP) whose private property was heavily vandalized and torched, blamed the violence on extremist supporters of the JVP and FSP (Frontline Socialist Party). But both the accused parties out rightly denied the allegations made by the President as well as by the ministers.

The writ petition, filed by 22 Government parliament Ministers, representing the Sri Lanka ruling party (SLPP). Minister Tiran Alles and Attorney General Rajaratnam have the incidents investigated under the recommendations of the Karannagoda report, which was filed in the Court of Appeal on 24 February, 2023. President’s Counsel Uditha Igalahewa did so on behalf of Admiral Karannagoda. However General Shavendra Silva, the Chief of Defense Staff, objected to the withdrawal of the application on the basis of assurances he was previously given to him by Minister Tiran Alles and Attorney General Rajaratnam.

Surprisingly enough though the committee appointed to investigate the may 9th incidents was originally appointed by the former ousted President GR. Despite the presidency having changed hands this appointed committee still being  in charge is beyond  disbelief it is almost as if the ousted president is still in charge. The investigative committee headed by the former Navy Commander and also composed of  Marshal of Air Force Roshan Goonetilleke and Army Commander General Daya Ratnayake.  

Within the press briefing  a question was raised whether the present IGP’s tenure will be further extended ? And the Minister replied “it is a matter between the president and the constitutional council”. It has also been reported that the second extension provided  has become under scrutiny by the government’s chief lawyer. He is very much reluctant about the extension and disapproves of it.