Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chandana Wickremaratne and four other police officers today tendered their unconditional regret to the Supreme Court for failing to adhere to a Supreme Court’s order.
This is for their failure to adhere to the Supreme Court’s order to take necessary action to pay the salary of former CID sub inspector Sugath Mendis who was arrested and interdicted along with former CID Director Shani Abeysekera.
The Police Chief and four other officers ordered in person to show cause as to why they failed to implement the Supreme Court’s order.
The Supreme Court three-judge bench comprising Justices Priyantha Jayawardena, S. Thurairaja and Mahinda Samayawardena directed the respondents to study the case proceedings in order to get an idea regarding the case.
The Supreme Court had earlier issued notices directing IGP Chandana Wickremaratne, DIG Mahinda Gunarathna, DIG J. S. Wirasekara, SSP M. N. S. Mendis and ASP Sanath Kumara to appear in court on November 16. In accordance with the court order, the IGP and other police officers were present in court today.
Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Nerin Pulle appearing for the IGP and other respondents informed the court that the respondents are tendering their unconditional regret for their failure to implement the court order. The ASG told the court that administrative delays on the part of the police department had delayed the implementation of the court order. He further said that the petitioner, the CID officer has been reinstated into the service as per the court order.
It transpired in court that police inaction had delayed the implementation of a court order to pay the salary of the former CID sub inspector.
On May 18, the supreme court ordered that the former CID sub-inspector be paid his full salary and entitlements from 23/03/2022.
During the arrest and remanding of Sub-inspector Mendis, it was alleged that his superior officer, SSP Shani Abeysekara, planted weapons in certain premises to frame former DIG Vaas Gunawardena, who was convicted of murdering millionaire businessman Mohomed Shyam along with his son and four others in a trial at the bar.
Mendis was granted bail along with SSP Shani Abeysekara by the Appeal Court. This court noted several contradictory positions in complaints against Mendis that evidently contained fabrications and false versions. Mendis had complained that he was taken in and remanded for refusing to falsely allege that SSP Abeysekara had planted weapons to frame Vaas-Gunawardena and others.
Mendis’ petition complained to the supreme court that he was denied due process and had been wrongfully interdicted and denied his salary and entitlements. This inflicted hardship on him and his family. These acts of harassment violate his fundamental rights, he complained.
