Probe into death threats on Minister Anura

COLOMBO: On the instructions of the President, the Police have commenced a special investigation regarding the alleged telephone calls, threatening the life of Heritage Minister Anura Bandaranaike, said the Director General of the Media Centre for National Security, Lakshman Hulugalle yesterday.

The investigations have been expedited, Hulugalle added.

When the Director of the Colombo Crimes Division, SSP Sarath Lugoda visited the Minister’s residence, he had declined to give a statement citing ill health, Hulugalle said. The Minister had made a special statement over Sirasa TV last evening stating that he had received unidentified telephone calls threatening his life.

The President has instructed the Inspector General of Police to expedite the investigations. IGP Victor Perera has appointed Colombo Crimes Division Director SSP Lugoda to handle the investigations. SSP Lugoda addressing the media said he obtained a copy of the Minister’s statement from Sirasa TV.

According to the death threats made on Minister Bandaranaike’s life, the unidentified caller had stated that the Minister would be killed and hung at Attanagalla. The caller had also said that Minister Samaraweera would also be killed and hung in Matara.

Lugoda said his attempt to record a statement today from Minister Bandaranaike failed. The Minister’s Senior Security Officer had informed the SSP that the Minister would be giving a statement to the police subsequent to a statement he is going to make in Parliament tomorrow.

However, the Minister had agreed to grant a statement to the police. SSP Lugoda said the investigations to unearth the offenders would be expedited. He said the culprits behind these anonymous telephone calls could be identified following the investigations.