August 10, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) General Secretary and Attorney-at-Law Sagara Kariyawasam was arrested on Monday (10) by the Colombo Central Crimes Investigation Bureau in connection with controversial remarks he made about Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasooriya.
Kariyawasam was taken into custody after appearing before investigators in response to a notice issued by the bureau.
The arrest forms part of an investigation into comments he made during a media briefing concerning an alleged threat to the life of the IGP.
The controversy dates back to August 03, when Kariyawasam addressed journalists at the SLPP headquarters and referred to the fate of former police chiefs while commenting on the responsibilities of the incumbent IGP.
During the briefing, he called on the Police Chief to act in the interests of the State and the public rather than the government of the day.
His comments attracted considerable criticism from members of the Government, particularly after he referred to the possibility of the incumbent IGP meeting a fate similar to that of a former police chief.
Kariyawasam had said he did not want the IGP to become known as the 37th Police Chief to die after being assaulted by members of the public on a roadside.
The remarks subsequently prompted the Colombo Central Crimes Investigation Bureau to initiate a special inquiry into whether the statement amounted to a serious threat or otherwise constituted an offence.
Investigators are expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the comments, their intended meaning and the context in which they were made as the inquiry progresses.
