NDDCA Board Chief's life in danger
2015-07-20
Chairman of the National Dangerous Drugs Control Authority Dr. Nilanga Samarasinghe and his family have not been provided with any protection after continuous threats had been received for revealing information about politicians and government servants involved in the drug trade.
Samarasinghe said, he informed the IGP and Secretary of the Ministry of Law and Order about his predicament last Friday. Meanwhile Police Spokesman ASP Ruwan Gunasekara said, the IGP has received the letter sent by Samarasinghe. The IGP returned to Colombo only on 18 July and he will take the necessary action about the threats, Gunasekara said. Samarasinghe told Ceylon Today that if he is assaulted or killed, he wonders who will take the responsibility. If intelligence sources had taken any action to protect High Court Judge Sarath Ambepitiya, who was killed after he sentenced a drug baron to death, his life could have been saved.
Samarasinghe has also requested the District Secretary of Gampaha for a firearm for his personal security, with a recommendation from Police SSP. However the long bureaucratic process has made his request more of a problem for him than a solution.
When contacted Gampaha DS, Sunil Jayalath said that media has no right to question about that since it's a private request.
CT - The life of Samarasinghe is under threat because he revealed important information about politicians involved in the drug trade. Don't get angry, because it's a national issue. Don't we have the right to inquire what is going on?
DS - I am not angry. We get a lot of request for firearms. We have to be very subtle. I met this person recently also and he did not talk to me about it. We can't encourage the spread of firearms in the society. He has sent a staff member asking me to sign a document to give him a gun. I can't do things like this.
DS - I am not angry. We get a lot of request for firearms. We have to be very subtle. I met this person recently also and he did not talk to me about it. We can't encourage the spread of firearms in the society. He has sent a staff member asking me to sign a document to give him a gun. I can't do things like this.
CT - He has sent that letter through one of his staff members because he fears for his life, is that wrong?
DS - Ask him at which Police Station he has lodged a complaint?
DS - Ask him at which Police Station he has lodged a complaint?
CT - He has lodged a complaint at the Ragama Police. His mother has also done the same.
DS - Has he shown you copies of the complaint? When has he complained? If he has made a complaint, then the Police must investigate. We will act under the instruction of the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence.
DS - Has he shown you copies of the complaint? When has he complained? If he has made a complaint, then the Police must investigate. We will act under the instruction of the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence.
CT - You initially said that we had no right to ask about this. But this is a state official who has done a lot for the country. Should we not be concerned for his life?
DS - No you have no right. He should talk about it, not you. He has a family. This is a private matter of an official. He hasn't spoken to me over the phone. If he has a problem he should tell the Police.
DS - No you have no right. He should talk about it, not you. He has a family. This is a private matter of an official. He hasn't spoken to me over the phone. If he has a problem he should tell the Police.
