Resigned Cey-Nor Chairman complaints to police over Piyal Nishantha’s threats

By Kurulu Koojana Kariyakarawana   

The former Chairman of Cey-Nor Foundation Dr. Dulan Hettiarachchi who resigned last March owing to alleged threats by former Fisheries State Minister Piyal Nishantha has complained to police yesterday owing to the continuing threats.   

Hettiarachchi, who had previously complained to the Colombo Crime Division (CCD) and Western Province South Crime Division over death threats, had complained to the Malambe Police yesterday after stones had been thrown by an unidentified group at his residence.   

When contacted, an official from the Malambe Police said the former Chairman had lodged a complaint saying that an unidentified group had thrown stones at his residence roof in Thalawathugoda on Tuesday night and an inquiry is underway.   

The former Cey-Nor Foundation Chairman resigned in March 22 owing to tremendous pressure mounted on him allegedly by then Fisheries State Minister Piyal Nishantha following two court cases filed by the former against the latter.   

Dr. Hettiarachchi, having resigned from the post, had immediately informed then President Ranil Wickremesinghe about the hostile working environment and threats he was receiving.   

When contacted Dr. Hettiarachchi said that he had to file two cases with the Bribery Commission and the CCD against the former State Minister for allegedly soliciting Rs.3.3 million from the money allocated for supplies at the Cey-Nor Foundation.   

“Since then I have been receiving various forms of threats from the former Minister who had sworn to destroy my life for destroying his political career with false allegations of corruption,” Hettiarachchi said.   

An official from the Western Province South Crime Division said an investigation is underway over the complaint of death threats.   

Meanwhile, attempts made to contact the former State Minister for comment were unsuccessful.