It was Minister Sagala who gave a call not to arrest -- IGP summoned to parliament today

Information in relation to to the incident of the telephone call which was answered by the Inspector General of Police at a public meeting recently has now been confirmed. The Prime Minister Mr. Ranil Wickremasingha said in parliament day-before-yesterday (03) that Minister Sagala Ratnayaka has phoned the IGP Pujith Jayasundera requesting him not to arrest Dishan Wickremaratna Gunasekera, Basnayaka Nilame of Devinuwara as such and that IGP Pujith

As such, though suspicion about 'the call that came to IGP' which remained a sort of secret thus far has been obliterated, the public nevertheless have been disappointed over such things happening under the present government too. There were debates about this point right along in parliament exposing identities and other relevant details and Weerakumara Dissanayaka, Dinesh Gunawardena and Anura Kumara MPs questioned about this matter continuously.

The Prime Minister replied "We don't want to do what was done to Sarath Fonseka when an MP asks ... I also would ask for what reason the person is summoned; whether he is taken inside or not". The Prime Minister mentioned that IGP Pujith Jayasundera and Minister Sagala Ratnayaka in charge of Police activities would be summoned to inquire about this injustice and that MP Mr. Anura Kumara Dissanayaka could question about this matter.

This is what MP Anura Kumara Dissanayaka had to say about this: "There are allegations that this person referred to has misused vehicles of the Presidential Secretariat. Allegations have been aimed at him over transactions relating to the offence of selling sand belonging to Mineral Sands Corporation. These people are closely connected to the highest echelons of the past regime. So, take into consideration the mandate given by the people on January 8th and act accordingly. What was clearly stated in the mandate was that punishment would be meted out to those who engage in cheating, corruption. As such the Police have the powers to conduct inquiries. The Attorney General's Department has the authority to take future action. But it's an issue if a response is made to the Chief of Police at a telephone dialogue that in no way will the person be taken into custody".

At that point Prime Minister Ranil's response was: "The IGP was queried. This Basnayaka Nilame was asked to come to police. On that occasion it was asked whether he would be taken into custody when he comes to courts. The IGP had told him to make inquiries and to come to courts. Only to hand over some documents. And that because of it he wouldn't be apprehended. That was the only thing that had happened there. That person had been with us ... went and leaned against Rajathuma. Because he has old connections he asked us whether he would be taken into custody or not. Not only Nilame ... how many MPs call us and ask whether they would be arrested or not. If an MP asks whether he would be apprehended ... we'll try to see whether some consolation could be offered.