Court Clears Way To Probe Sagara's Comments On IGP

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Colombo Central Crimes Investigation Bureau today reported facts to the Kaduwela Magistrate’s Court regarding the statement made by Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) General Secretary Attorney-at-Law Sagara Kariyawasam about an alleged attempt to assassinate the Inspector General of Police on a public road.

After considering the submissions made by investigators, the Magistrate granted permission for the police to continue with further investigations into the incident.

The controversy began following comments made by Kariyawasam during a media briefing at the SLPP headquarters on August 3, where he referred to the fate of former Inspectors General of Police and urged the incumbent Police Chief to serve the State and the public rather than the government. His remarks, which included references to the possibility of the IGP becoming another police chief to meet a tragic fate, quickly drew sharp criticism from government figures.

"We do not want him to go down in history as the 37th Inspector General of Police who died after being beaten on the roadside by members of the public," said Kariyawasam.

On Wednesday (5), Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala said that the statement made by the General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, Sagara Kariyawasam, regarding a plot to assassinate the Inspector General of Police (IGP) in public is being treated as extremely serious.

Speaking in Parliament, the Minister stated that the Central Crimes Investigation Bureau has already launched an investigation into the matter.

The Minister further told Parliament that the government will provide full protection to Inspector General of Police, who is leading efforts to combat crime across the country, as well as all officers serving under his command.