Swiss embassy incident is a conspiracy against the govt. : State Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara

Colombo (News 1st): Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa says a complaint with regard to the alleged incident where a Sri Lankan employee of the Embassy of Switzerland was abducted, has not been received yet. The Prime Minister added that the Criminal Investigation Department has commenced an investigation although a complaint has not been lodged. Meanwhile, several politicians expressed their views in this regard. UNP MP Ajith P. Perera noted that finally, the officers who investigated the cases are now made thieves and they are the ones who have been sent out of the country. He added that the stories about white van are true, there were white vans during the Rajapaksa time, however, the people believed that the white van culture will not prevail when Gotabaya Rajapaksa comes into power. The Parliamentarian noted now the law and has been disregarded with the reports of an employee of the Swiss Embassy being abducted and forcefully detained for questioning, without waiting for a Police or a court to do the needful. He added that currently political vengeance is being fulfilled. Speaking regarding the matter the Leader of the New Sama Samaja Party Dr Wickramabahu Karunaratne noted that those who stood up for democracy, are now threatened, their offices were raided and these individuals have been abducted. He added that countries such as the US, and China, have already spoken against such matters. The freedom within state departments has been suppressed. He said they are trying to carry out an administration where all offices will not have any democracy, and all officers will have to dress in the same way and act in the same manner. Meanwhile, the Co Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Bandula Gunewardena noted that they are a government that will accept criticism that does not include any mudslinging. Therefore, he said they have no issues. He said they have organized a media discussion next week, with the secretary and state minister, where the public can present all of their issues. Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa was also questioned by Journalists on this regard;

Journalist: Many are talking about the incident linked to the Switzerland Embassy. What's the situation in this regard? PM Mahinda Rajapaksa: From what I know, they are yet to provide a statement. The victim is not providing any statement. However, I have instructed the authorities to continue with the investigations, even without a statement. They are monitoring all footage of CCTV's. I requested the authorities to submit a report to me, after looking into all of this. Journalist: What will happen if there is some form of international pressure? PM Mahinda Rajapaksa: We made a request that we must investigate this matter. When I met the ambassador, I requested him to support us in this regard, as we cannot conduct an investigation without a complaint being lodged. Therefore, she must be identified. We have not received a statement even by yesterday. We have not met her either. If such an incident took place, we condemn it. Journalist: Do you think this is some sort of disruptive behavior? PM Mahinda Rajapaksa: We cannot be sure of anything as yet. They claim such an incident took place, but they are yet to even lodge a complaint in this regard.

State Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara said that this is a conspiracy staged by a group of individuals, who are trying the portray as if they did it. However, he said they will look into this matter, and prove to the world we did not do such a thing. JVP MP Sunil Hadunnetti also commented regarding this incident;

"Public security, national security means not to eliminate those whom you dislike and reinstate whom you prefer. We don't think eliminating those who are conducting investigations with regard to you is part of National Security. The General Public, The Mahanayaka Theros who stood as a strong force in securing this victory, religious leaders, media organizations and the people never expected such a situation. Due to the fear of facing investigations, the first step is to eliminate the officials who are conducting the investigations. The second step is to distort evidence, withdrawal of evidence, interfering with operations at the attorney generals office, and in the end, there will not be any court cases. Even before the Cabinet assume duties, Shani Abeysekara who held the position of director of the Criminal investigations department was transferred to the south and appointed the PA of Deputy Inspector General of the Southern Province. The president is expressing views about the Bellanwila Rajamaha Viharaya and Nishantha Silva and views which relate to these investigations, those are not views of a normal citizen. Those are projected as views by the President. Now we suspect , those who came to power in this government, those who went on to say that the central bank scam is the largest act of corruption. While Ranil Wickremesinghe and Ravi Karunanayeka are free, those officers who conducted investigations leave the country due to death threats. That is a pre example, that in the future as well, State officers will be threatened. If legal investigations are carried out death threats will come your way."