20 May 2021 12:00 am Views - 172
By Easwaran Rutnam
Lawyers have told court that former Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Director Shani Abeysekara, who they identified as Sri Lanka’s Sherlock Holmes, was a victim of a conspiracy.
On a request made by the lawyers, the Court of Appeal yesterday fixed the revision appeals against the refusal of bail to Shani Abeysekara and Sub Inspector Sugath Mendis by the Gampaha High Court to be taken up on 4th June for inquiry, even if current restrictions on court sittings continue. The Attorney General was told by court that if the CID or AG have any objections to file, it should be done by not later than 28th May. This was after counsel for Abeysekara complained of continuing endless delays in hearing the case that seriously threaten Abeysekara’s safety.
Abeysekara has serious health issues involving diabetes, hypertension and cardiac problems. Yet, he was even treated in a way that resulted in him getting a heart attack and contracting Covid-19 while in remand, court was informed. Lawyers for the petitioners also pointed out that the whole exercise was a conspiracy to upset an appeal against a High Court conviction of ex-DIG Vass-Gunawardene that is now due to be taken up by the Supreme Court, in due course.
Corrupt and influential people were conspiring and Abeysekara who had given a lifetime of service as perhaps Sri Lanka’s finest investigator (nicknamed “Sri Lanka’s Sherlock Holmes”) is a victim of all this, court was told. Therefore, counsel for Abeysekara said that any further delay in hearing the matter was unacceptable.
The court called for medical reports on Abeysekara’s current condition to be filed by the authorities by 25th May, in view of the fears expressed for his health and safety. Viran Corea with Thilini Vidanagamage instructed by Gowry Shangari Thavarasha appeared for Abeysekara. Chaminda Athukorala with Hafeel Farisz appeared for Sub Inspector Sugath Mendis. Additional Solicitor General Rohantha Abeysooriya with Deputy Solicitor General Shanil Kularatne appeared for the CID and the AG.