Adequate Police protection for Shani Abeysekara: AG

• Shani Abeysekara had sought an order directing the police to provide security to him

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda  

The Attorney General yesterday informed the Court of Appeal that steps have been taken to provide adequate police protection for former CID Director Shani Abeysekara, taking into account the existing security threats. 

 
Additional Solicitor General Rohantha Abeysuriya appearing for the National Authority for the Protection of Victims of Crime and Witnesses made these remarks when the writ petition filed by Shani Abeysekara seeking adequate security to him and his family was taken up before the Court of Appeal.  

In his writ petition, Shani Abeysekara had sought an order directing the police to provide security to him and his family in compliance with the directives of the  
National Authority for the Protection of Victims of Crimes and Witnesses.  

The petitioner had named the National Authority for the Protection of Victims of Crime and Witnesses, IGP Chandana Wickremaratne, Western Province Senior DIG Deshabandu Tennakoon and several others as respondents.  

The Petitioner states that evidently he and his family are exposed to severe security threats, and the provision of security of an unarmed police constable is clearly inadequate and does not suffice the required protection to the petitioner or his family. He further said these threats are existing as long as he is alive so these unidentified threats are lifetime threats towards the petitioner.  

Shani Abeysekara states that the failure to comply with the requirement imposed by the Victims Protection Authority is an offence under the Section 14 (2) Assistance to and Protection of Victims of Crime and Witnesses Act, No. 4 of 2015 shall be guilty of an offence of contempt of the Authority. The Petition was fixed for June 28.  
President’s Counsel Upul Jayasuriya appeared for the petitioner.