Escape from Death: Ajith Jayasinghe's Harrowing Journey

COLOMBO (News 1st); Former Sri Lankan Sub-Inspector Ajith Jayasinghe, now living in Australia, played a pivotal role in the search for the missing Officer-in-Charge of the Sapugaskanda Police Station's Crime Investigation Division, Rohitha Priyadarshana.

Ajith, who was serving in the Traffic Division of the Peliyagoda Police Station, took leave to fully dedicate himself to finding his missing friend.

On February 23, 1990, Ajith made a bold statement in the Peliyagoda Police Station's detention cell, declaring that whoever killed Priyadarshana would be found and killed.

This declaration led to Ajith being pursued for his life.

On February 26, 1990, while returning from the police hospital with another individual via Baseline Road, Assistant Superintendent of Police Douglas Peiris attempted to abduct Ajith.

ASP Peiris had reportedly signaled Ajith to stop his motorcycle. As Ajith dismounted and approached Peiris, he reported to the Presidential Commission that Peiris placed a pistol to his neck.

Subsequently, Peiris's police team seized Ajith's firearm and placed him in a van, taking him to the torture chamber.

Inside the van, Ajith pulled a grenade from his pocket and removed the pin, causing the police officers to jump out of the van.

Peiris then approached Ajith, asking him to hand over the grenade.

Ajith had jumped out of the van, and Peiris had moved further away. The Commission report states that a large crowd gathered at the scene.

Ajith showed his official ID to the military personnel who arrived subsequently, and requested to be taken to the Senior Superintendent of Police in Kelaniya.

The military personnel thereafter had detonated the grenade in a deserted area, and they took him to the Peliyagoda Police Station.

At the Peliyagoda Police Station, Ajith sought protection from Senior Superintendent of Police Nalin Delgoda, who, according to Ajith's testimony, assaulted him with a firearm.

Ajith was detained at the Pelawatta Detention Center from October 27, 1990, to January 7, 1992, on charges of being associated with the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna.

A friend intervened and secured Ajith's release from the detention center after he agreed to certain conditions.

Under these conditions, Ajith's friend arranged for him to be sent to the United Kingdom.

Ajith Jayasinghe remains abroad to this day.

"My friend Rohitha's life was ultimately lost due to the murder of Gonawala Sunil's brother. Rohitha personally informed me about this. Within ten days of Gonawala Tudor's murder, Rohitha was killed. Rohitha told me that Tudor was killed during a sudden interrogation. SSP Delgoda informed me that Ranil Wickremesinghe had instructed to release Tudor. I asked why they were sending him now, questioning if there was anyone left. Delgoda was not flustered and said to inform the SSP immediately that Tudor died during questioning. I knew then that the issue was being taken up by Ranil Wickremesinghe. Ranil Wickremesinghe would order the SSP to release Tudor. The SSP said he would inform within half an hour that Tudor was dead. This was the immediate cause of Rohitha Priyadarshana's death," he told a social media channel.

Former Sub-Inspector Ajith Jayasinghe has expressed his willingness to support any legal proceedings related to the Batalanda Torture Chamber.

Such living testimonies can still be identified regarding the murders and other crimes that occurred at the Batalanda Torture Chamber.

If the law is enforced, gathering this evidence should not be difficult.

Is it not the public's expectation to see justice served for these crimes, rather than allowing them to be buried in the sands of time?