Conspiracy to assassinate President:

Thirty seven in custody

Sarath Malalasekera

*Brigadier, Colonel and Army deserters among them

*Seventy hotel rooms booked under false name

The Special Police Squad led by a Senior DIG investigating the conspiracy to assassinate President Mahinda Rajapaksa and several others have detained 37 suspects, including a Brigadier, a Colonel, several Army deserters and four civilians under Emergency Regulations pending the completion of investigations.

Twenty three Army personnel including Army deserters were taken into custody after breaking open a door of General Sarath Fonseka’s office in Colombo, Police said.

Police had to break open the door as there was no response from the persons inside the room. Investigations revealed that the arms and cash found in a Temple at Maradana had been transported to the temple from Fonseka’s Colombo office.

Police have also taken two Tamil persons into custody in connection with supplying arms which were found in the temple.

A Rs. 800,000 contract had been given to supply arms and an advance of Rs.150,000, had been paid, Police said.Investigations also revealed that the person who booked 70 rooms in a hotel in Colombo had not given the correct name and address to hotel owners.

The special Police Squad had taken several motor cycles and a Volvo car used by Army deserters in to custody. Some motor cycles had forged number plates while the motor cycles had not been registered with the Registrar of Motor Vehicles (RMV).

The special squad are investigating to ascertain the person who gave 500 mobile telephones to Fonseka’s office in Colombo to be used during the elections.

The special squad are also investigating to ascertain whether these conspirators had any connection with the LTTE.

The special police squad conducting investigations assisted by the three Forces.