Key witness giving evidence of CDS’ involvement in youth abduction case receives death threats

By Manopriya Gunasekara

The Special Investigation Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department yesterday informed the acting Fort Magistrate that the witness who provided information on Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Ravi Wijegunaratne’s involvement in assisting a suspect abscond arrest is facing death threats. 

The CID revealed that Lieutenant Commander Galagamage Laksiri is facing death threats after it was revealed that he provided the CID with information regarding Admiral Wijegunaratne’s involvement in helping Chandana Prasad Hettiarachchi alias Navy Sampath abscond arrest. 

Chandana Prasad Hettiarachchi was arrested over the abduction and disappearance of 11 youth from Kotahena. 

Presenting a progress report of the investigation, the CID told Court that Chandana Prasad was given accommodation by the CDS to avoid police arrest. CID also revealed that CDS, then Navy Commander, Admiral Ravi Wijegunaratne was also involved in providing accommodation to Chandana Prasad at Navy Headquarters.

The officer in charge of Special Investigations, IP Nishantha Silva informed the acting Magistrate that Lieutenant Commander Galagamage Laksiri is receiving death threats for giving information about Admiral Ravi Wijegunaratne’s connection to Chandana Prasad.

A person in the Department for Registration of Persons and one in the Department of Immigration and Emigration have been identified in connection with issuing Chandana Prasad a fake passport and National Identity Card under a false ID, CID’s Polwatta Gallage Ashoka informed the Magistrate.

He also informed that investigations on the three-wheel driver who helped Chandana Prasad flee to Malaysia has commenced.