Media told not to concoct stories about alleged plot to kill Lankan President Sirisena and opposition stalwart Rajapaksa

(MENAFN- NewsIn.Asia) Colombo, September 27 (newsin.asia): The Sri Lankan Minister of Finance and Media, Mangala Samaraweera has appealed to the media not to concoct reports about the alleged plot to assassinate Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, and former Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the alleged role of an Indian national Merceli Thomas in it.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Media Minister said: 'Several media outlets have since given wide publicity to false, unattributed claims that the CID had alleged in court that an Indian national had confirmed the existence of a plot to assassinate President Sirisena, Mr. Rajapaksa and others.'

'These news reports are false, baseless and inflammatory. The CID has not, at any time, in either written or verbal submissions to the Magistrates Court, made any statement that could lead to the conclusion or inference that an assassination plot has been established or corroborated, whether through Mr. Thomas or by any other means.'

'Journalists are free to observe any court proceedings in person or to apply for transcripts of proceedings and court filings through the Registrar of the Court. Therefore, it is inexcusable to make such serious and inflammatory statements on a matter of public record without citing any sources or mode of corroboration. '

'Responsible media organizations and public figures alike should restrict their reporting on judicial matters to the written and verbal submissions made by parties before the court. Such caution is all the more paramount with regard to reporting on criminal investigations with serious implications to the security of the state,' the statement said.

Background

Giving the background to the arrest of Merceli Thomas, the Minister said: ' The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is conducting investigations into serious allegations of an alleged conspiracy to assassinate President Maithripala Sirisena, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, amongst others.'

'As of this time, the only source for these allegations is a statement made by Mr. A.M. Namal Kumara. While the Criminal Investigation Department has yet to report any evidence substantiating the existence of such a plot, these allegations are so grave in their implication that CID detectives must take every precaution thoroughly investigate and seek to corroborate their every element, as a matter of national security.'

' On Monday, CID officers arrested Indian national Marceli Thomas in connection with this investigation. Yesterday (Tuesday), Mr. Thomas was produced before the Colombo Fort Magistrates Court, and an order to detain him in CID custody was sought and obtained.'

'The reason CID officers sought to detain Mr. Thomas was to conduct further investigations on a suspicion that Mr. Thomas may have violated Section 5 of the Prevention of Terrorism Act No. 48 of 1978 by failing to report information pertaining to plans to commit an act of terror. '

'This suspicion was filed in writing by the CID and stated verbally in open court. Further evidence in support of this submission was shared with the Honorable Magistrate in chambers,' the Minister's statement said.

Thomas was arrested on Tuesday from the residence of the anti corruption movement operations Director Namal Kumara at Warakapola near Colombo.

Namal Kumara had exposed the assassination plot, CID chief inspector Ranjith Munasinghe informed the Fort Magistrate Court in Colombo.

Namal Kumara had revealed that former in-charge of the Terrorist Investigation Division DIG Nalaka de Silva had discussed with him the alleged plot to assassinate President Sirisena and the former Defense Ministry Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, the court was told.

Nalaka de Silva was questioned by the CID on Namal Kumara's revelations. He was subsequently transferred out of the terrorism bureau pending investigations.

Thomas had arrived in Sri Lanka on a tourist visa, but had overstayed, the court was told.

Meanwhile, the court ordered to check the authenticity of the audio tapes which Namal Kumara claimed had conversations between him and DIG TID Nalaka de Silva.

Anti-Corruption Front President Namal Kumara had presented audio recordings between himself and DIG De Silva in which the latter speaks of incriminating the Senior DIG in charge of the Special Task Force M.R. Latheef. Kumara said that DIG De Silva desired the position of the STF Chief.

Thomas Has History of Mental Illness

Meanwhile Daily Mirror quoted a spokesman for the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka as saying that Merceli Thomas has had a history of mental disturbance.

The Indian Commission took immediate measures to conduct a background check on the said Indian national, despite the limited information provided to them by Sri Lankan authorities.

Preliminary reports of this investigation have revealed that the said individual has had a history of mental disturbances since 2000.

This information has been give to Sri Lankan authorities and the Indian High Commission assured Sri Lanka of full assistance and cooperation for conducting a thorough and professional investigation into the matter, the Indian official said.

Buddhist Monks Against DIG

A group called the Sinhalaye Api Jathika Sanvidanaya on Tuesday lodged a complaint with the National Police Commission against TID DIG Nalaka de Silva alleging that he had allegedly misused his powers to engage in corrupt activities to rise in the police department.

The National Freedom Front led by former Housing Minister Wimal Weerawansa alleged that Nalaka de Silva had connections with the Tamil Tigers in Chavakacheri in the Northern Province.

Police Media Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekara told Daily FT that Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had ordered IGP Pujith Jayasundara to submit a comprehensive report on the findings of the investigation into the alleged plot to kill President Sirisena and other leaders.

IGP Jayasundara had ordered the Criminal Investigations Division to take over the investigation against DIG De Silva..

(The featured image at the top shows the Sri Lankan Media and Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera)

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