BY Mirudhula Thambiah Courtesy The Morning

• No action into Karannagoda committee recommendation yet
• Police, Defence Ministry say matter in President’s hands

The Police stated yesterday (27) that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is yet to commence investigations into former Army Commander and incumbent Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen. Shavendra Silva as recommended by the committee led by former Navy Commander Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda, which was appointed to look into any lapses by the State Intelligence, the Police, and the armed forces during the mass anti-Government protests and violent incidents across the island on 9 and 10 May 2022. 

The committee has recommended a CID probe into Gen. Silva for his failure to take the required measures to prevent the violence incited and the burning of the houses of Parliamentarians on the aforesaid dates. 

Speaking to The Daily Morning, Police Media Spokesman, Senior Superintendent of Police, and Attorney Nihal Thalduwa said yesterday that the CID had not commenced any investigation into this matter so far.

The committee’s report should come to the CID. It has been submitted to President Ranil Wickremesinghe and after it is studied by him, it will be communicated to the Police or to Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chandana D. Wickramaratne if necessary. After that, we need to consider.”

Ministry of Defence Media Spokesman, Lieutenant Colonel Nalin Herath told The Daily Morning yesterday: No action or inquiry would be launched at the moment. There are some legal procedures to be followed. Now, the report has been submitted to President Wickremesinghe, after which it would be forwarded to the Attorney General’s Department. Likewise, some sequences should be followed, with the final outcome to be decided by the President.”

According to the said report, Gen. Silva, in his capacity as the CDS, had failed to communicate the orders issued by the Secretary to the Defence Ministry to the relevant officials in order to prevent the violence that had occurred. 

In June 2022, former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa appointed a three-member committee, composed of Marshal of the Air Force Roshan Gunathilake and former Army Commander Gen. R.M. Daya Ratnayake, and chaired by Karannagoda. 

The Karannagoda committee was appointed after 34 MPs belonging to the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), including Dr. Bandula Gunwardana, Shehan Semasinghe, Prasanna Ranatunga, Janaka Bandara Tennakoon, and Gamini Lokuge filed a petition against IGP Wickramaratne, Gen. Silva, the Defence Secretary, the Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the Western Province Deshabandu Tennakoon and 13 others, seeking an order that the torching of their residencies be investigated, and to inquire into any lapses that may have taken place from the relevant officials.