AG wants IGP to explain failure to enforce warrant

AG wants Acting IGP to explain why Negombo Prison Chief is not arrested

by Zulfick Farzan 30-07-2020 | 11:19 AM

Colombo (News 1st); The Attorney General's Department on Wednesday (29) requested the Acting Magistrate of Negombo to issue notice on the Acting Inspector General of Police to appear in court personally to provide reasons for the failure to arrest Ex-Superintendent of the Negombo Prison Anuruddha Sampayo, as it has been 07 days since the arrest warrant was issued by the court.

The request was made by Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris on behalf of the Attorney General.

DGP Peiris said if Sri Lanka Police fails to arrest the suspect by Friday (31), it is paramount for the Acting IGP who leads an 87,000 strong police force to appear in court and explain why he failed to enforce a court order.

The Deputy Solicitor General said the Acting IGP and his officers had neglected their duties by failing to carry out the court order to arrest the Ex-Superintendent of the Negombo Prison, Anurudhdha Sampayo.

Sri Lanka Police was ordered by the Acting Magistrate of Negombo to immediately enforce the warrant issued on the 22nd of July and arrest Anurudhdha Sampayo, the first suspect in the case filed over committing irregularities in the Negombo Prison.

The Criminal Investigations Department in a progress report on the investigations pointed out, the suspect had fled from his residence with his wife and children.

In addition, Chief Jailor of the Negombo Prison Upali Sarath Bandara and Second Tier Jailor Nishantha Senaratne who surrendered to the court on Wednesday (29) via counsel, seven days after warrants were issued for their arrest, were remanded until the 04th of August.

In addition, the 04th suspect in the case Jailor Prasad Kalinga Kaluaggala who was remanded after surrendering to the CID, was further remanded until the 04th of August as well.