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Thursday, 5 September 2013 00:59 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
However, the former Western Province (North) DIG will remain in remand custody over two other cases filed against him at two other Courts.
Appearing on behalf of the former DIG, Defence Counsel Ajith Pathirana denied the allegations levelled against his client and maintained that the CID had brought this case since they were having difficulties to find evidence against him over the alleged murder case. Finally, he moved Court that the suspect be released on bail.
Meanwhile, the CID informed Court that the extracts of the investigations in respect of the case have already been forwarded to the Attorney General for his advice. They further noted that the CID had also concluded the preliminary investigations in connection with the incident.
While ordering the release of the suspect Vaas Gunawardena on two sureties of Rs. 1 million, Colombo Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage warned him not to interfere with the witnesses of the case and also with ongoing investigations being carried out by CID.
In this case, the CID alleged that its detectives including ASP Shani Abeysekara and Special Investigation Division OIC Inspector M.A.S. Ranjith Munasinghe had received death threats when Vaas Gunawardene was being questioned at the CID headquarters on 13 June over the killing of businessman Mohamed Shayam. In a complaint to the CID Special Investigations Division, ASP Abeysekara alleged that the suspect Vaas Gunawardena threatened them saying, “Shani, I am a murderer, you won’t be able to keep me inside forever, when I am out, see what I will do to all of you.”
Meanwhile, the CID detectives told Police they believed that the death threats issued by the former DIG could be considered as a danger to their security and those of their families.
They alleged that the suspect had committed a punishable offence under Section 183, 186 and 486 of the Penal Code. Further Magisterial inquiry into the matter was fixed for 2 October.
