#GarlicScam : Police investigating CID for summoning journalists

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka Police said an investigation was launched with regard to the officers attached to the Criminal Investigations Department who acted irresponsibly by summoning newspaper editors and journalists, to record statements for an investigation.

The investigation is taking place upon a directive given by the Inspector General of Police.

Sri Lanka Police in a statement said summoning newspaper editors and journalists is not the normal practice, and when the CID seeks assistance from the media with regard to an investigation, editors are not summoned to the CID as the media provides the required assistance.

Sri Lanka Police said it regrets the inconvenience caused to the newspaper editors and journalists over the said incident.

The statement added that Sri Lanka Police respects the right to Freedom of Expression of journalists as well as the general public.

On the 29th of September, Rear Admiral (Retd) Dr. Sarath Weerasekara, the Minister of Public Security has instructed the IGP to investigate the Criminal Investigation Dept as to why they carried out inquiries on journalists, related to the Garlic Scam case, despite being instructed not to do so.

In the same Media Release, the Minister has handed over the Garlin Scam investigation from the Peliyagoda Special Crimes Investigations Division to the CID.

The Prime Minister has given instructions not to summon journalists who reported on the #GarlicScam to the Criminal Investigations Department, said Media Minister Dullas Alahappruma on Tuesday (28).

Responding to journalists at the weekly Cabinet Media Briefing, the Minister said the government was not pleased with summoning journalists to the CID for their reporting.