Ex-navy spokesman claims transfer "politically motivated"

Rear Admiral DKP Dasanayake, told the presidential commission probing acts of political victimization, that some ministers had instructed his transfer to the Disaster Management Center in 2018.

He said that these instructions were given during a meeting at the home affairs ministry.

However, Dasanayake, upon being questioned by Ajith P. Perera, a minister at that time, had said he was not informed about the alleged political pressure directly.

Perera told the commission that the Rear Admiral was transferred to the DMC due to the adverse weather at that time after considering his abilities.

The transfer was carried out by the then Chief of Defense Staff Admiral Ravi Wijegunaratne, he noted.

Gunaratne Wanninayake, the lawyer for Rajitha Senaratne, another former minister, also denied that his client was instructed to make such a transfer.

Meanwhile, the commission ordered the prisons commissioner general to produce former Criminal Investigation Department director Shani Abeysekera, who has been remanded, as a respondent to this complaint.

Hearing of further evidence regarding this matter will take place on July 19.