One of the suspects of the emblematic Navy abduction for ransom racket case Rear Admiral D.K.P Dassanayake retired from the Sri Lanka Navy this week with full military honours. He was accorded a Guard of Honour in accordance with naval tradition, the Navy said. Dassanayake was accused by the CID of aiding and abetting the abductions.
“Having joined the Sri Lanka Navy in 1987, Rear Admiral DKP Dassanayake has rendered a noble service during his illustrious naval career. He has held office as Navy Media Coordinator for about 04 years from January 2006 to August 2009. Among other significant assignments he held; Director Naval Inspectorate, Head of Cyber Security Cell, Director (Coordinating) at Office of the Chief of Defence Staff, Director Naval Victualling and Clothing, Tri Forces Coordinating Officer at Disaster Management Centre, Director Logistic Management Cell and Commander Northwestern Naval Area stood prominent.” the Sri Lanka Navy added.
However he continues to be a main suspect in a case where a group of Naval personal are accused of running an illegal abduction for ransom racket in 2008 – 2009. Notes made by a victim’s mother during a phone call from her abducted son, Rajeev Naganathan that implicated Dassanayake. The mother had written down “Commander Dassanayake who is to be made Captain, is here” after her son had identified the officer.
Another suspect of the case identified as Navy Sampath had also told CID that Dassanayake was aware of the abductees being held. Witness to the case Lt. Commander Welagedara had also complained that Dassanayake had issued death threats to him for having provided evidence on the case.
Despite being a suspect in a criminal case Dassanayake was promoted through the ranks. Dassanayake was confirmed in the rank of Commodore by the Sri Lanka Navy on September 27. Previously, Dassanayake had been promoted to the rank of Commodore temporarily on April 8, 2016, effective from January 1, 2015. He had received several service extensions, managing to actively serve in the Navy despite being named as a suspect in the case in 2017.
At the time the then Chairman of the Office of Missing Persons (OMP) PC Saliya Peiris said actions such as these could have a chilling effect on witnesses. Noting that some witnesses continue to be serving Naval officers, Peiris said seeing promotions and benefits being granted to suspects could give the witnesses the wrong message.
It is also reported that Dassanayake had once again attempted to obtain another service extension prior to retiring but however it had been not granted for reasons unknown despite backing from top leaders in the government. He has also alleged that all the accusations against him are mere political revenge.
As a result on January 27 the Presidential Commission inquiring into incidents of political revenge informed the Attorney General to halt the investigations into the cases filed against retired Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda and Rear Admiral D.K.P. Dassanayake until the commission concludes their hearings.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa appointed a presidential commission on the 16th of this month to inquire into incidents of political revenge between the 8th of January 2015 and the 16th of November 2019. The first complaint received by the commission was the case filed against Wasantha Karannagoda and D.K.P. Dassanayake over the abduction and disappearance of 11 youth. Issuing a communiqué the Presidential Commission said that incidents of legal action being filed based on political pressure will be focused upon during the inquiry.
Appearing before the Commission Rear Admiral Dassanayake had said his arrest in connection with the abduction and disappearance of 11 youth was politically motivated and has hindered several promotions that he could have obtained had he not been indicted, there was a possibility of even being appointed the Navy Commander.
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