Court Extends Non-Arrest Agreement Of Ex-CCD Chief

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Court of Appeal announced today (26) that the agreement to not arrest former Acting Director of the Colombo Crimes Division, Assistant Superintendent of Police Neville de Silva, in connection with the Weligama hotel shooting incident, will be extended until April 28th, following objections from the Attorney General.

The announcement was made during the hearing of the writ petition filed by Neville de Silva and seven other officials seeking an order to prevent their arrest in relation to the incident. 

The petition was heard before Appeal Court Judge Gihan Kulatunga.

During the proceedings, six officials, including former Colombo Crimes Division OIC Anselm Silva, requested permission to withdraw their petitions, stating they no longer wished to pursue them. The judge granted their request.

Subsequently, President's Counsel Eraj de Silva, representing petitioners Neville de Silva and Jagath Nishantha, requested the court to summon the petitioners for confirmation of their claims.

Deputy Solicitor General Maheshika de Silva, representing the Attorney General, strongly opposed the request, arguing that the petitions could not be continued as six petitioners had already withdrawn.

After considering the arguments from both sides, the judge scheduled the next hearing for April 28th to confirm the petitioners' claims.