ON THE CENTRAL BANK BOND SCAM JUST ONE INCIDENT RECOLLECTED BY FORMER DIRECTOR OF CID SHANI ABEYSEKERA
Shani Abeysekara is a former Director of the criminal investigation unit in the Police department He was leading in investigations into numerous high-profile cases of human rights abuses such as the disappearance of Prageeth Eknaligoda and murder of Lasantha Wickrematunga etc He was a accused of several other allegations including his involvement in giving pressure to the then Sri Lankan government in the Gotabhaya Rajapaksa regime .He was suspended from service as he was anti-government and a straight forward.officer In early part of the year 2020 he was suspended from the Service of the Sri Lankan Police as he spoke against the government’s irregular activities and imprisoned. He never accepted bribes was a genuine straightforward officer. After his telephone conversation with Ranjan Ramanayake leaked as it was termed as a discredit to the police services of the country. On 25 November 2020, he was tested positive for covid 19 and was transferred to a different prison. On 16 June 2021, he was granted bail by the Court of Appeal after spending jail term for nearly one year.After the new government came into power Shani Abeysekera was appointed on a contract basis for one year as the head of the Police Commission.
A lady attorney at law had interviewed Shani Abeysekera in a video recollecting just one incident how the Politicians ,Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe had behaved in regard to the Central Bank bond scam when he was the Director of the CID. The case had been handled by a commission headed by two senior judges of the supreme court. Based on this report Shani Abeysekera had to make investigations in to the Central Bank bond scam. His deputy director was transferred who Shani Abeysekera had added was a very efficient officer. Though he was the person the most eligible to take over from him. But Mahinda Rajapaksa’s bodyguard a DIG was appointed to the post of Director. Shani Abeysekera had assisted him with the facts which he knew about the CB bond scam – thirty six facts with his own hand writing was handed over.He had wanted to find about a cashing of a cheque by Sujeewa Senasinghe then a deputy minister in the government.Shani had told him to request him to call over and find out the details.The cheque had been enchased for ten lakhs by his driver.
Sujeewa had called back and told it may have been the sale proceeds of his jeep. Later in a few hours Sujeewa had told the cheque had been enchased before that date. Shani had told you may state the source of the receipt of the proceeds of the cheque, but about the truth the CID will investigate. After sometime two more cheques have been enchased by him .All cheques had been drawn by M/s WM Mendis and Company. Sujeewa had told about this issue to Ranjith Madduma Bandara who was the Minister of Law and Order in the Ranil Wickremasinghe government. Ranjith Madduma Bandara had called Shani and asked what is this Sujeewa’s problem.When Shani explained he had told the Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe is interested in this matter to call him.Ranjith Madduma Bandara had asked him whether there is any possibility of resolving ( godding beraganna baheda) Shani had told that it is a commission report involving over five lakhs of rupees.Shani had told He has no protocol to call the Prime Minister. About this issue Shani had informed Ravi Seneviratne to whom he has the highest regard had taught him work Shani had admitted that for his honesty and knowledge he owes to the genes of his parents and to the guidance of Ravi Seneviratne .It was told that Ravi Seneviratne too was arrested for trying to help Shani.The advise Ravi had given was to speak to the IGP Pujith Jayasundara, When this story was conveyed IGP had told he will talk to PM Ranil Wickremasinghe and get an appointment .The IGP had got an appointment to the PM Ranil at 10 pm the following day,The IGP had accompanied Shani to meet the Prime Minister at the 5th Lane,Kollupitiya.When Shani had met the PM he had asked what is this Sujeewa’s issue which Shani had added regarding three cheques enchased by him .Ranil had told many politicians get cash presents from supporters which are evident from his account too. Hence Sujeewa too is entitled to receive gifts.PM Ranil Wickremasinghe had told a politician can even receive money from drug and illicit liquor dealers.Ranil Wickremasinghe had told he is meeting the Attorney General tomorrow will see of an alternative to which Shani had boldly added that he will not alter his stance to Attorney General or any high person.T o this Ranil Wickremasinghe had told ‘Yano Yanna Booruwa” This was just one such incident that was related by Shani Abeysekera, added there are many more this is just one incident that came to mind.
Sunil Thenabadu in Brisbane e mail sthenabadu@hotmail.com tel 0061444533242