UPDATE: Millennium City Raid: Facts, Allegations, and Verdict

COLOMBO (News 1st); Colombo High Court Judge Aditya Patabendige today ordered the acquittal of former Assistant Superintendent of Police Kulasiri Udugampola, who was accused of revealing sensitive information about military intelligence officers residing at the Millennium City housing complex.

In delivering the verdict, Judge Patabendige stated that the prosecution had failed to prove the charges against Udugampola beyond a reasonable doubt.

What Was the Millennium City Incident?

On December 5, 2001, the United National Front (UNF) led by Ranil Wickremesinghe won the general election, defeating President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga's party. 

A few days after the new government was established, on January 2, 2002, a police team led by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Kulasiri Udugampola raided a house at the Millennium City housing complex in Athurugiriya. 

The raid resulted in the seizure of a cache of weapons and the arrest of several individuals.

The raid was conducted under the direction of ASP Udugampola, who was then in charge of the Kandy Police Kennel Division.

However, it was later revealed that the raided location was a safe house maintained by the Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI) of the Sri Lanka Army, specifically for the Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRP) unit.

Among those arrested were Captain Mohammed Nilam and five other members of the LRRP unit, along with two civilians.

The exposure of the intelligence officers and the safe house led to significant controversy and raised serious concerns about national security. 

Critics argued that the lives of the military intelligence officers were endangered due to the exposure.

What Legal Actions Were Taken?

In response to the Millennium City raid, the Attorney General filed 22 charges against ASP Kulasiri Udugampola. 

These charges included actions detrimental to the security and welfare of the Republic of Sri Lanka, gathering information about military intelligence officers and their operations, and compromising national security.

What Was Revealed During the Trial?

During the trial, it was revealed that ASP Kulasiri Udugampola had been appointed by the then Inspector General of Police to investigate the infamous Udathalawinna massacre. 

The massacre, which occurred on December 5, 2001, involved the killing of ten individuals and was linked to former State Defense Minister General Anuruddha Ratwatte.

It was disclosed that ASP Udugampola had surrounded the Millennium City housing complex based on information that Chanuka Ratwatte, a son of Anuruddha Ratwatte, was hiding there.

High Court Judge Aditya Patabendige, in delivering the verdict, stated that ASP Udugampola had not acted beyond his authority. 

Transladed Excerpt from the High Court Judge's Verdict:

"It was revealed through evidence that at the time of the raid, ASP Udugampola was unaware that the house he was inspecting was a military safe house. He only learned this after conducting inquiries at the housing complex office, where he discovered that the house was occupied by military personnel. Subsequently, he went to the Narahenpita Military Police Headquarters, obtained assistance from the officers there, and proceeded to inspect the house in Athurugiriya with their support."

The judge highlighted that the then Secretary of Defense had refused to issue detention orders for the arrested military personnel, indicating that ASP Udugampola had acted in good faith. 

The judge emphasized that there was no evidence to suggest that Udugampola had disclosed sensitive information that threatened national security.

Translated Excerpt:

"In relation to this case, former heads of military intelligence, retired Major Generals Kapila Hendavitharana and Suresh Sallay, along with Staff Sergeant Premananda Udalagama, provided testimony. It appears that their testimonies were given with the intention of protecting the arrested military officers. However, their testimonies did not reveal any evidence necessary to substantiate the charges relevant to this case."

Despite claims that the raid had endangered several military intelligence personnel, the judge stated that there was no evidence to confirm that sensitive information was disclosed due to Udugampola's actions.

The judge also noted that Udugampola had based his investigations on information about a potential attack on a campaign rally of Ranil Wickremesinghe, the leader of the United National Party at the time. 

Although the prosecution argued that this was hearsay, the judge pointed out that such information had been reported in the media during that period.

After analyzing all the presented evidence, the judge concluded that ASP Udugampola's actions were lawful and acquitted him of all charges.

Subtitle
Former ASP Kulasiri Udugampola

"After 22 years, justice has been served by an exemplary judge. The judgment was clear and impartial. I have never been accused of any wrongdoing by my superiors and have always performed my duties diligently."