Ministry of Law and Order recommends compulsory leave for DIG Nalaka

The Ministry of Law and Order yesterday recommended to the Police Commission to send former Police Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) Director DIG Nalaka de Silva on compulsory leave till the investigations on him are completed.

DIG Nalaka de Silva, who is being investigated over allegations that he attempted to assassinate President Maithripala Sirisena and former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, was transferred to the Police IT division earlier this week. 

However, Cabinet Co-Spokesperson Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne, speaking at the weekly Cabinet press briefing, said that further action on de Silva can only be taken once the investigations are completed. 

Defending the officer, Senaratne said that it is not possible to take punitive action against any Government employee without proper inquiry and evidence. 

The Minister also said that the Criminal Investigations Division (CID) conducting investigations into allegations made by Namal Kumara has questioned the accuser for the last two days. 

“Namal Kumara has been questioned. We have his background. He is a police informant. He was paid Rs. 500,000 for information given on the group that attacked Rohingya refugees and organisers of the Kandy riots. For the Kandy Riots, he has not been paid,” the Minister said. 

The Minister was also critical of the conduct of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Pujith Jayasundara and said that action should be taken to address the situation.  “Even I do not approve of the IGP’s conduct, but he did not behave this way before he was appointed. This should be addressed, I agree,” he said, responding to a question on the matter. (CD)