Mysterious Disappearance of Sub-Inspector Rohitha Priyadarshana

COLOMBO (News 1st) This is the story of Sub-Inspector Rohitha Priyadarshana.

Rohitha Priyadarshana, who received his education at Nalanda College, Colombo, joined the Special Task Force of Sri Lanka Police in 1986.

The Balanda Commission report has paid significant attention to him.

Rohitha Priyadarshana, who also showed a natural talent for cricket, was assigned to the Crime Investigation Division of the Sapugaskanda Police Station under the Kelaniya Police Division in 1989.

He successfully contributed to solving numerous thefts and other serious crimes within the Kelaniya Division.

"My brother was in charge of Sapugaskanda and Biyagama. The Balanda torture chamber was nearby. My brother investigated it and found out who was behind it," revealed Palitha Manuwarna, the brother of the late Rohitha Priyadarshana.

What happened to Sub-Inspector Rohitha Priyadarshana?

By 1990, Rohitha Priyadarshana was serving as the Officer-in-Charge of the Crime Investigation Division at the Sapugaskanda Police Station.

On the afternoon of February 2, 1990, Police Inspector Keerthi Athapaththu, who was serving as the Officer-in-Charge of the Sapugaskanda Police Station, left for a meeting at the Biyagama Village Hotel.

"Keerthi Athapaththu went to the Biyagama Village Hotel that evening for a meeting, saying a minister was coming. Who was this minister? The minister of Biyagama was Ranil Wickremesinghe. Ranil Wickremesinghe and SP Douglas Peiris were said to be attending the meeting," Palitha Manuwarna, the brother of the late Rohitha Priyadarshana.

Around 8 PM that day, a phone call was received at the police station.

According to the testimony given to the Presidential Commission by Police Sergeant Siriwardhana, who was on duty at the time, the call was made by Officer-in-Charge Keerthi Athapaththu.

The Officer-in-Charge had informed Rohitha Priyadarshana to come to the Biyagama Village Hotel.

Following his superior's instructions, Rohitha left the police station, and a white car was parked in front of the station at that moment, as testified by Bandula Dinapurna, a journalist who was with Rohitha at the time.

According to the Batalanda Commission repotrt, this was the last time anyone reported seeing Rohitha alive.

Excerpt from the Batalanda Commission Report:

"Keerthi Athapaththu returned to the police station around 11 PM. He noted in the logbook that he was taking a break. However, he did not inquire about Priyadarshana's absence from the station."

Three days later, a body believed to be that of the missing Rohitha Priyadarshana was found washed ashore on the banks of the Kelani River, opposite the Peliyagoda Police Station.

The body was so badly decomposed that it was unrecognizable.

However, Dinesh, Rohitha's brother, identified it based on a distinctive mark on Rohitha's body, as noted in the commission report.

Excerpt from the Commission Report:

"A part of the face was missing. The limbs were injured. Dinesh could not recognize the face. The body was swollen. However, a distinctive feature on Priyadarshana's chest, two on each side, was visible."

"The Kelani River flows behind the Peliyagoda Police Station. At that time, my brother was wearing pants given by my elder brother. They used to exchange pants," revealed Palitha Manuwarna, the brother of the late Rohitha Priyadarshana.

After the body was identified, the officers at the scene tied it to a nearby tree with a rope as it floated in the river.

According to the commission report, this action by the police was deemed unusual.

The next morning, Dinesh and his father went to the riverbank where the body was found, but it was no longer there, as noted in the commission report.

Excerpt from the Commission Report:

"The rope used to tie the body to the tree was cut. The officers on duty at the Peliyagoda Police Station that night were unable to explain what happened to the body. Was Priyadarshana's body removed by an outsider without the consent of the Peliyagoda Police Station authorities? Or did the body float away to the sea after the rope was cut?"

Despite informing senior police officers on several occasions, Priyadarshana's family received no assistance, as noted in the commission report.

The commission reached several conclusions regarding Priyadarshana's disappearance.

Excerpt from the Commission Report:

"The fate that befell Priyadarshana is known only to those involved in his disappearance. They must live the rest of their lives with a painful conscience."

"This is a 35-year-old unresolved case. The President must ensure justice is served. We don't need another commission for my brother and the thousands who died. All facts have been confirmed by the Batalanda Commission. Ranil Wickremesinghe is directly involved and must be held accountable. His civic rights should be revoked, and he should face severe punishment," said the brother of the late Sub-Inspector.