'Mani advocated foreign intervention'

Chaminda Perera and Ranjith Padmasiri

CID officials probing into the conduct of former director of International Centre for Ethnic Studies Dr. Rama Mani told Colombo Chief Magistrate Court that documents stored in her personal computer give an indication that foreign intervention is required to solve Sri Lanka's internal matters.

A special CID team probing her conduct on complaint made by SCOOP chief Prof Rajiv Wijesinghe informed the court that documents stored in her computer imply that Sri Lanka is in need of foreign intervention to solve its problems. Sergeant Wasala Jayaratne of the CID stated her visa has not been extended by the Emigration and Immigration Controller while this investigation was in progress and as a result she had left the country. Sergeant Ratnayake stated that they conducted a comprehensive investigation over this matter on the information that she has posed a severe threat to the country's sovereignty and national security. He stated that the CID recorded statements from the employees of the Non Governmental Organisation in which Dr. Mani was the executive Director. The CID also pleaded the Court to stop the investigation against her as she had already left the country.

Considering the submissions by the CID officials Additional Magistrate Kavindya Nanayakkara ordered the CID to file a complete report over their investigation on March 11, 2009.