The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) yesterday expressed concern about the continued detention of former Director of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Shani Abeysekera and called on the Government to give a guarantee of his safety.
Addressing a press conference held yesterday, SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara stressed that the Government must be responsible for the health and wellbeing of Abeysekera who is currently undergoing treatment, having contracted the COVID-19 virus while in remand custody. He was later transferred to the Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH), authorities said.
Bandara argued that the law had not been applied equally and that the continued detention of Abeysekera was political victimisation. “The Government must take responsibility for his wellbeing and give a guarantee that no harm will come to his life.”
“Why are professional, hardworking law enforcement officers being treated in this manner? Is the Government trying to undermine the resolve of competent police officers to fight crime?”
He pointed out that Government MP Former Eastern Province Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pilleyan had been granted bail recently and that former Minister of Industry and Commerce and All Ceylon Makkal Congress Party (ACMC) Leader Rishad Bathiudeen had also been released from custody.
Bandara said that Abeysekera carried out impartial investigations to many allegations regarding corruption, organised crime and murders, including some related to members of the present Government.
“When a competent and impartial law enforcement officer is politically victimised like this, it sends a warning for honest public officers that they should not investigate matters related to politicians. How will that strengthen our democracy? It will weaken it,” Bandara charged.
(FT)