20 April, 2024

Blog

Another CID Sleuth In The Crosshairs: Security For IP Nishantha Silva And SSP Shani Abeysekera Withdrawn

Six days into Gotabaya Rajapaksa‘s presidency, security provided to CID Inspector of Police Nishantha Silva was summarily removed, prompting security fears for the top detective handling some of the most high profile cases at the Department.

At the request of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, based on grave and credible threats to his life, last year the IGP had authorised 24 hour security for IP Silva. However with the ouster of CID Director SSP Shani Abeysekera this week, a new Director SSP Tilakaratne has taken over at the Department. IP Silva’s security was also immediately withdrawn, Colombo Telegraph learns.

Around the same time, Colombo Telegraph learns that security for former CID Director SSP Shani Abeysekera who was given a punishment transfer as PA to DIG of Galle, has also been withdrawn.

IP Nishantha Silva who functions as OIC of the Gang Robberies Branch at the CID, oversees some of the CID’s most sensitive investigations, including the assassination of Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wickrematunge, the abduction and assault of journalist Keith Noyahr and the disappearance and suspected murder of journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda. IP Silva also handles the explosive navy abductions investigation, which has implicated high ranking navy officers including the current Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Ravindra Wijeguneratne and former Navy Commander Wasantha Karannagoda. Silva busted navy personnel who were running an abduction for ransom racket in 2008-2009. 11 Tamil youth were abducted and illegally detained at two navy bases and ultimately killed, Silva’s investigations revealed. Just before the presidential election, the Attorney General decided to request a trial at bar to hear the navy abductions case and indicted several navy officers in connection with the trial, including former Commander Wasantha Karannagoda. One of the main suspects in the abduction case is Commodore D.K.P. Dassanayake who is tipped to be President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s Navy Commander.

Many of the cases handled by Silva have implicated military intelligence personnel in the grave crimes against journalists and others, making Silva and his former director SSP Abeysekera targets of the security establishment and Sinhala hardline monks.

His involvement in investigations particularly close to home for the former Defence Secretary who was elected president on November 16, has made IP Silva a target of the Rajapaksa regime even previously. During the October 2018 attempted coup, the National Security Council was especially convened for the sole purpose of expediting the transfer of IP Nishantha Silva out of the CID, according to testimony provided by former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando, when he appeared before the Parliamentary Select Committee hearings into the Easter Sunday attacks. At the time the IGP was ordered to transfer Silva to Negombo on a service requirement. The transfer was reversed within 24 hours after a massive public outcry against the move and a stern warning from the National Police Commission that they would step in unless Silva was reinstated. The transfer was seen as being politically motivated in order to ensure the investigations Silva was leading would be stalled or sabotaged.

Related posts:

President Gota’s First Blow To Rule Of Law: Top CID Cop On The Chopping Block

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Latest comments

  • 92
    9

    Will Sri Lankans now turn a blind eye to the main motive of the Rajapakses in getting back to power, that of burying all the court cases against them along with the gathered eveidence?

    So called Sinhalese ‘Buddhist’ voters including monks who campaigned for the Rajapakses are to blame for this turn of events

    • 37
      6

      CT,

      The only way the Rajapaksa crooks can be absolved of the crimes is to remove all those who were working on those crimes and destroy the evidence or put on the shelves permanently.

      The next steps are to kill those killed by “accident “ or design, like Lasantha etc.

      The low IQ 70, Para-Sinhala Para-Buddhist imbeciles could not see that. All they could see is that Gotabaya was sworn in at Ruwanvalisaya.

      The liberation of the crooks by the Sinhala Buddhist imbeciles, mean IQ 79.

      • 27
        3

        CT,

        The Rajapaksa Mafia is forming the Rajapaksa Waffen SS.

        Members of the Nazi Waffen-SS were involved in numerous atrocities,

        So are the members of the Rajapaksa Waffen SS.. Low IQ Sinhala Buddhist imbeciles could not see that. The low IQ Wahhabi -Salafi idiots also could not see that too. That is where low IQ and low common sense hurts, combined with the incompetents Ranil W and Sirisena ,

      • 1
        8

        Amarasiri,
        It is good for your health to release your anger and frustration slinging mud at Rajapakses and repeating the Mantra ‘Para Sinhala with low IQ’. If you do not release your anger and frustration like this, probably you might end up in Angoda.

        • 5
          0

          Eagle Eye,

          Knew about Sinhalayo Modaya. It is sad that the low IQ fraction have proved this again, enticed by Ranil W and Sirisena, who turned out to be Traitors.

          Repeating the same error is a sign of stupidity, as shown the reflection of the Rajapaksa Mafia, by the stupid fraction of Para-Sinhala Para-“Buddhists “,

    • 39
      7

      Sir,
      I CURSE those 6,9 million stupid fools who elected a notorious, corrupt, killer as our President! Where the hell is that so-called INDEPENDNENT POLICE COMMISSION? Do they wet their pants thinking of PTSD Kamal G’s newly-refurbished White Vans outside their gates?
      Cheers!
      PS: Family of corrupt murderers are back in power. Offcial UNP traitors and cunning Sira are covertly backing that criminal family from Hambantota for personal gains and protection. Our country is now a PRIVATE FIEFDOM of Rajapassa criminals, their cronies and henchmen. It was handed over on a platter by RW and Sira.
      Sri Lanka is SCREWED!

      • 1
        0

        Thanks Ben.
        :
        We are always with you. We are caught by thieves today, but truths will clear it sooner than later.
        :
        Already now, there are rumours, some sort of fears among the SOCIAL MEDIA community is on a rise. That says almost everything even if those robbers of Rohitha abeygunawardhana keeps uttering lies behind lies to whitewash the allegations levelled at Rajakashes.
        :

    • 32
      1

      It took only hours for them to show their true colors.
      We should all be afraid we will be going back to those dark days.

    • 39
      4

      I have personally seen alot of modayas all over social media praising the rajapaksa family. The ones who are living in the west and doing it, should be identified and deported back to Sri Lanka. These hypocrites benefit from liberal policies that allow minorities and immigrants to thrive in the west. Yet they are supporting racist dictatorships back in their ancestral land. I for one am getting tired of seeing this.

      • 2
        0

        John Silva
        It goes to show you how selfcentered our people are.
        As long as they are safe, it doesn’t matter, the rest can go to blazes.
        All this noise and none of them will actually come back home even if there are 10 Gotas in power.
        .
        Ironically most of the people who go abroad want to be more traditional than those at home.
        Wonder why they left in the first place.
        .
        What bloody pathetic hypocrites.

    • 24
      2

      CT,

      The Rajapaksa Mafia in action. Better than disappearing. Sinhala Buddhist imbeciles must be happy.

      IP Nishantha Silva, the OIC of the Organised Crimes Investigation Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had left for Singapore with his family today, sources said.

      IP Silva was handling investigations into many major incidents including the murder of Editor Lasantha Wickrematunge and the abduction and the assault of journalist Keith Noyahr.

      Last year he was transferred to the Negombo Division on service requirements.

      However, the transfer was later cancelled after several civil organizations and Amnesty International had expressed concern over the transfer.

      IP Silva is known for heading investigations into at least 60 crimes committed by the LTTE, the rape and the murder of student Sivaloganathan Vidhya, the abduction of 11 youths in Colombo and Chief of Defence Staff Ravindra Wijegunaratne’s alleged involvement in harbouring a suspect of the abduction incident and many more.

      IP Silva left the country a few days after the transfer of former CID Director Shani Abeysekara.

    • 24
      2

      Lankan,
      Lanka e News is reporting that Nishantha Silva with his family ran away from the country in order to avoid arrest! This is getting scary! I knew that GoRa would try to get the revenge from CID officers who investigated Ra..kse crimes but never imagined it to get this much ugly so soon. The other danger is that all the powerful criminals with ties to Ra..kse clan and local SLPP politicians trying to go back to pre-2015 era of controlling local police. Those who vote for GoRa should reread the election manifesto to see if these items are included in it. Also, I wonder how SLFP guys (MY 3 included) going to explain this chain of events wearing clothes!

    • 26
      0

      Of course they will turn a blind eye. Upholding the law was never important for these brain dead zombies. They want a king, not a leader. If they gave a shit about law and order, they would be against the powers of executive president which keeps him above everything like god. If you speak to one of them, you will see that they have a twisted mind set and a judgment about the world and its people. They will tell you that murders and abductions are important for the development of the country and it’s totally okay for a leader to do them if he protects “rata, jaathiya, agama”. It’s okay to do them if their leader keeps Colombo “beautiful”. These people are against killing animals for food but okay with killing people for power. If you have a few court cases against you, you won’t be able to apply for a job. But you will be able to become the president of Sri Lanka. Our country is twisted, top to bottom. It’s falling to an endless black hole.

    • 5
      0

      Over 52% of Sinhalese are racists. Try convincing them!

      • 4
        0

        Thinker,

        The election data indicates that 70 percent of Para-Sinhala Para-“Buddhists” are racists and imbeciles to re-elect racists and crooks.

        Stupidity is repeating the same error, getting the crooks back in power. The racism has blinded the Para-Sinhala Para-“Buddhists”, who are insulting The Buddha every day.

  • 60
    3

    So it begins. The Rajapaksas are vindictive, and vicious.

    The Leopard never changes it’s spots.

    • 15
      1

      Navin ,

      Oh , come on Navin , this is the politics of our country since
      independence . They just follow the tradition and Ranil
      would have been no different if he ever knew Srilankan political
      culture ! Didn’t Ranil ever know how his hands will be tied if
      he went to sleep with My3 ? He did know but he made it look a
      game ! I think by hook or crook , My3 crushed Ranil . Rajapakshas
      have come to carry forward the traditions in a big way because of
      public approval is a loud one ! Monks are over the moon , NOT
      ABOUT S L P P VICTORY BUT ABOUT MINORITY LOSS ! The win
      and loss in our country matters to International communities as
      well . Minorities’ choice of U N P , according to the Monks it looks
      as if it just happened ! How short sighted they are ! Anyway so far
      the new president is mixing revenge with some sweet moves so
      that the revenge finds its way under the carpet . Time will tell more
      and we can wait patiently !

    • 21
      2

      Stupid gullible majority is misled for their Comeback. Next days we will hear the first state murder of barbarian duo. People will then open their eyes but not many since Sinhala Modaya s are irreparably brainwashed asvis the case in North Korea. let s hope ballige putha murderers be punished by God soo er than later. God bless our motherland.

  • 0
    2

    This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.

    For more detail see our Comment policy https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2

  • 16
    4

    Leopards never change their spots.

    Its going to be Hitler’s rule over seen by the Buddhist monk mafia

  • 21
    1

    I have been telling Sinhalese are fools. They can be fooled by Mahinda family. They could buy monks and Now, entire country will pay a huge price and let us wait and see, Now, 6.9 m Sinhalese are ready to back a group of public fund looters and robbers. Ranil too supported them

  • 20
    2

    Oh, my God, where are we heading?
    .
    It looks as though our worst fears were well-founded.
    .
    I think that I must look at some of the mad scenes in King Lear. Macbeth is too obvious a place.

    • 13
      1

      The majority got what they wanted. Your in the minority its sad but you have little choice other than to sit back and enjoy.

      What can we look forward to after parliamentary elections?
      “no need to fear that a military rule would be implemented in the country, the Defense Secretary said” This will be only true until the parliamentary elections are done.
      “CID Inspector of Police Nishantha Silva has fled the country after receiving death threats, Colombo Telegraph can reveal.”

      All these cases will go ahead under a kangaroo court without sufficient evidence or witnesses and you should be able to assume the results.

      ” assassination of Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wickrematunge, the abduction and assault of journalist Keith Noyahr and the disappearance and suspected murder of journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda. IP Silva also handles the explosive navy abductions investigation, which has implicated high ranking navy officers including the current Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Ravindra Wijeguneratne and former Navy Commander Wasantha Karannagoda. Silva busted navy personnel who were running an abduction for ransom racket in 2008-2009. 11 Tamil youth were abducted and illegally detained at two navy bases and ultimately killed, Silva’s investigations revealed.”

      You have seen nothing and will see nothing until the parliamentary elections and then the fun begins.

    • 14
      1

      Wait and see, next week we will hear the first human victim ( murder victims).
      .
      That will show to the world how lanken Duterte would react.
      .
      But none of the grass eaters would grasp it until their lovely ones would be caught by rapes, killings or any other high crimes.

      • 0
        0

        If that happens: Ranil will have as much blood on his hands as those committing the crime as he protected criminals by his incompetency.

  • 10
    0

    History is replete with chief executioners/terror squad runners/exterminators elected heads of state.
    Just one more will not matter much, even in states pretending to uphold the Rule of Law.
    Such people live in a ‘fools paradise’ with top tiers packed with Yes Men.
    Ma Lanka is in for a tough time.

  • 27
    4

    These two officers were the only two heroes we had in the entire Government machinery. It is time for the UNP to back Sajith as the only credible opposition figure we have to lead the party into the general election and give him the time and support to tackle the pressing issues we have, such as the malicious isolation of the two police officers above. Distracting Sajith with UNP infighting would be a crime against the nation.

    • 0
      0

      Rajan Hoole ,

      ” Distracting Sajith with UNP infighting would be a crime against the nation.”

      Ranil W will try to hang on like a leach to the UNP with the support of this cronies. He has been there 25 years, and it has been only 71 years after independence. The messed up during the past 4 years with Sirisena.

      Somebody need to organize a massive Galle Face Rally of the 5.5 mullion who voted for Sajith to request Ranil to give the leadership of UNP to Sajith.

    • 2
      0

      Rajan Hoole

      Sorry Sajith also has fallen into the same trap, tried, tested and failed competitive racism.

  • 10
    1

    Killers will cover there tracks.

  • 14
    0

    Meanwhile the temporary cabinet has been appointed with same old corrupt members of the 2010-2015 era.. According to some SLPP supporters this will be a temporary arrangement until the GE. With MR controlling everything lets wait and see whether the things will ever change after the elections. With Rajapaksa’s wanting to take credit and control of everything highly unlikely that the young and educated will be given the opportunity unless they are from the extended family of Hambantota or Mirihana

  • 13
    0

    This is a part of Deshappremi, wait for more to come, time to time raise the racist card

  • 3
    14

    In reality the People elected that President Gotabaya Rajapakasa upheld “rule of law”. But previous regime of UNP headed RW,MS and CBK has been breach of all normal procedure of criminal investigation by CID & FCID during 5 years. Meanwhile by that Last regime of UNP has purposely that politicization of key judiciary institutions and function of enforcement authorities has been disable by Prime’s Office .

    Result of that all function of Rules of law and its rules has become foul of rules under the UNP regime.
    Many enforcement authorities under preview of judiciary has exceed power of LAW of courts . Its has gone beyond that Equality before law, then out of that fair trails are depend on polices officers who were back UNP leadership at Temple Trees. …Prime-Minister Office!@

    While Judiciary head quarters has shifted Prime-minster office at Temple Trees. These two police offices of Shani Abayasakera and I P Silva has come under direct orders from Primer Office .
    The fair investigation has turn into the political pressure of that become victims of UNP rule of authoritarian-regime installed in 2015 Jan 8th.
    The good will of RULE of LAW has disappear for ever……under UNP regime of all sorts of misdeeds and mismanagement of “good governance” !

  • 20
    1

    Monks are to be blamed for the mess of bringing back the Rajapakshe’s. Idiotic. Shani and Nishantha had done good job. They will not be forgotten.

    • 7
      0

      Ad – What will be the fate of DIG Latheef? Will he be transferred elsewhere? Send in your papers for retirement Mr Latheef. You don’t deserve to serve under the Rajafucksha mafia! Take care of yourself and your family. Life is precious.

    • 1
      0

      This is what happens when you give power to free loaders how do not work a day scam the poor, tie pirith nool to drug dealers, murders and politicians for money and who know idiots are their slaves.

  • 7
    0

    ‘The trees once went out to anoint a king over them, and they said to the Olive tree ‘ Reign over us’. But the Olive tree said to them, ‘ shall I leave my abundance by which God and men are honoured, and go and away over the trees?
    And the trees said to the Fig tree, ‘ You come and reign over us’. But the Fig tree said, ‘ shall I leave my sweetness and my good fruit and go hold sway over the trees?’
    And the trees said to the Vine, ‘ You come and reign over us’.
    But the Vine said, ‘ shall I leave my wine that cheers…and go hold sway over the trees?
    Then all the trees said to the Bramble
    ‘ You come and reign over us’.
    The Bramble replied ‘ If in good faith you are anointing me King over you, then come ..take refuge under my shade, but if not –
    Let fire come out of the Bramble and devour the Cedars..’.
    – The Bramble For King –

  • 15
    2

    SP Shani Abeyasekera and Inspector NISHANTHA SILAVA both are government servants and carried out only their duties.both are singala budist .if this government is going to take revenge out of them FOR POLITICAL REASON we can imagine the future plight of TAMILS AND MUSLIMS IN SRILANAKA.WHAT F—–ING HUMAN RIGHTS LEFT IN SRILANAKA

  • 16
    3

    These officers have done so much to solve the political killings during 2005-2015 and the reason that those responsible did not see the justice is deals done by Sira, Ranil, DealDasa, Sagala etc., done with Rajapaksas.

    Now with Nandasena in the helm the same old dirty tricks are playing around and what find so disappointing is the main opposition party., UNP – no one have a word to say or condemn the Nandasena Junta regime in fear of exposing their own corrupt practices.

    God Bless Sri Lanka.

  • 13
    0

    Paradise of fools. SL way to go

    • 4
      0

      ala,

      The Paradise of imbeciles, trained, guided and misled by saffron clad imbecile monks , to whom the imbeciles prostrate.

      • 0
        0

        Amarasiri ,

        Two Saffrons together, collected only about twenty thousand . The
        same amount BBS received in 2015 general election ! So , no way
        monks can fill only their baskets here . I strongly feel , out of many
        cases , the anti-corruption drive was one of the top unpopular one
        with a country full of crooks ! It is Srilanka , fraud and corruption
        are main ingredients of the staple . Losers had been screaming
        about Rajapaksha sharks while catching net full of sprats almost
        daily basis . It is also reported that between half a million and one
        million minority votes have gone to Rajapaksha although a victory
        was there without these votes . And the chest beating majority
        should not forget that the minority voted for unity and it is the
        majority that wants something that be called theirs ! It’s a point
        that is missing in the whole message . Majority also will have to
        learn new lullabies in the coming days because minority babies
        now have access for crying without stop !

  • 13
    0

    The Roman circus has begun.

  • 11
    0

    Corruption was one was the main theme during this election. After RW/MS failed governance the score card read hundreds inquiries millions wasted and zero results. Unless Sajin and Duminda are considered as one point. But MS pardoned and set free many criminals and murderers , to nullify what ever was left , on the positive side. Lets wait for the final results , of this miracle government. The chief is promoted as Terminator and there are plenty of alleged scams ,(by Rajapaksas and MS) committed during RW/MS time. MS who him self accused of so many scams is conveniently with the government now. So he should be able to help with the inquiries.(except Easter, where MS him self is the first accuse). Let me gamble with my predictions. The score will be again a big ZERO. Reason the game is FIXED. The main players are on the same side and the naive public/ voters , are the spectators, who paid heavily to watch this game.

  • 13
    0

    Nishantha Silva has taken flight, with his family. He is no more in the island. Who will.

  • 10
    1

    It is well known that MaRa family will anything and everything to safeguard their past crimes of themself and their thuggish cronies. May be we have to wait for another 15-20 years for any changes to occur in this buddhist-sinhala-govi paradise in hell.

  • 12
    1

    People gave over 4 years for the Yahapalana government to catch the criminals/thieves and punish them. Instead, UNP MPs, ministers, deputy leader and the leader of the UNP, and the President were enjoying the newfound wealth (perks, positions, luxury lifestyle, super-expensive cars, mansions, foreign trips etc. etc.), and they didn’t feel the time was flying.
    Some old ministers were Viagra addicts and the cases of overdose were heard through the Colombo grape-wine. Finance minister couldn’t prepare the budget on time since he was too busy planning to loot the Central Bank. Finally they all shared the stolen wealth among themselves and the poor people were compelled to pay high interest rates for even small loans.
    Sabeetha’s building was rented for several million rupees but the Ministry hardly used it. It was poor tax payers’ money looted in front of them.
    Rupee had a nose-dive and the foreign debt was unmanageable due to devalue of rupee. It was a beggar’s fart for the Yahapalana cabinet.

    • 10
      1

      There was every sign to determine that Yahapalanaya was a disaster and an utter failure. As a result of this misgovernment and mismanagement, people were falling from the frying pan to the fire but Yahapalana leaders did nothing to alleviate the poverty among the masses. People were asking for food; RanilW was promising Gym kits. There were no elections, but leaders were talking about Westminster type democracy. The 19th amendment was a messy achievement! In 2015, when Maduluwave Sobita promised this Yahapalanaya people never expected a disastrous mess of this magnitude. Then came the final call: the Easter attack! For the average Sri Lankan: ‘enough was enough’.
      Dear comment writer! What do you expect from such average Sri Lankans other than voting for the Rajapaksas. I think those who blame Sri Lankans should be happy about what Gotabaya had got (over 69 million votes); I thought it would exceed 75 million given the people’s desperation and frustration!

      • 2
        0

        Our entire population is estimated under 21 million, where did you get the rest, unless you included those who are dead in the past 100 years.

  • 0
    0

    This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.

    For more detail see our Comment policy https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2

  • 1
    1

    If these CID officers ate Kumabala Malu, it takes some to get off the effects.

    The results of Yahapalanayata Kade Yama.

  • 4
    1

    Buddhist listen to monks who don’t earn a living, don’t have children to look after, don’t have school fees to pay, have free accommodation, most of the time free transport and food.
    Can a normal citizen live like the above, and get advice from a unemployed person who’s only qualification is to dress up in a orange color dress. Fools have chosen a criminal to run the country, and country might get decided like what happened in yogoslavia.

    • 3
      1

      Jehan,
      Descendants of slaves brought to Sinhale by colonial parasites from Malabar and anti-Sinhala Buddhist NGO suckers thriving on $$$$s do not know the role played by Buddhist Monks to save this country from ‘Para’ Demala, ‘Para’ Portuguese, ‘Para’ Dutch, ‘Para’ British and ‘Para’ Malabar terrorists. Large number of Monks were killed by these ‘Parayas’.
      Anti-Buddhist acts and speeches made by ‘Jadapalana’ goons helped to galvanized the bond between monks and laymen. These two groups worked together to bring the change necessary for this country. At the General Election these two groups will work together to bury the anti-Sinhala anti-Buddhist Unpatriotic National Party for good.

  • 1
    0

    I am appalled at the current situation. People who should be behind bars are are back in power ! And without doubt the blame for all this lies at the very feet of Sirisena and Ranil who dragged their feet in bringing this lot to justice. The officers who did their job diligently without fear or favour are probably fearing for their lives having trusted their government of Sirisena and Ranil to support them.
    Didn’t they forsee what was coming and what would happen to these CID personnel if they lost ?? having lost the election Sirisena and Ranil actually have nothing to fear about , but for the public officials who did their jobs dutifully what’s their plight ?
    What message does this send to any public officials in a future UNP government ? I am sure they’ll think twice before putting their necks on the line .

  • 0
    0

    Usually CID keeps a watch out on criminals. In Sorry Lanka CID it self is put on “wanted / watch list”. (that too the whole department including head). We are truly blessed.

  • 0
    0

    It is high time the “Progressive Politicians” of Srilanka get their act together as fast as possible and put their collective Manifesto to the voters to urge their support to avoid the impending catastrophic disaster.

  • 0
    0

    This is nothing but revenge. They were only doing their duties.

Leave A Comment

Comments should not exceed 200 words. Embedding external links and writing in capital letters are discouraged. Commenting is automatically disabled after 5 days and approval may take up to 24 hours. Please read our Comments Policy for further details. Your email address will not be published.