CID Goes To Matara In Search Of Ex-IGP, Basnayake Nilame Criticizes Absence Of Warrant

COLOMBO (News 1st) On Sunday (9) night, officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had conducted a search at a residence in Matara to locate former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon. 

The search was carried out by officers in civilian attire, according to Dishan Gunasekara, the Basnayake Nilame of Ruhunu Kataragama Devalaya.

The CID stated that the search was based on information received, but they did not confirm finding Tennakoon at the residence.

Dishan Gunasekara, the Basnayake Nilame of Ruhunu Kataragama Devalaya, expressed concerns about the manner of the search, noting that the officers did not present any search warrant or identification. He mentioned that only his 84-year-old mother and two servants were at home during the search.

"My mother, who is 84 years old, was alone with two servants. There were no uniformed officers, and they did not present any legal documents. They couldn't even reveal their identities. When the local police were contacted, they were unaware of the search," Gunasekara said.

He added that the officers recorded a statement from his mother, who confirmed that they did not cause any harm. 

However, Gunasekara criticized the disturbance caused to his elderly mother, who requires daily medication.

Gunasekara also mentioned that the officers asked if Tennakoon was present at the residence, which he found troubling. He urged the authorities to avoid such actions that cause unnecessary distress to citizens.

When asked if Tennakoon was hiding at his residence, Gunasekara laughed and did not provide a direct answer.

Meanwhile, Gunasekara was summoned to the CID today for a separate investigation. After providing a statement for nearly three hours, he left the CID premises.

Gunasekara explained that he was called to provide information about a house built for former President Mahinda Rajapaksa by the late Kirivehera Soratha Thero in Kataragama. He stated that he was the only person with detailed knowledge about the house.