17 more cases under FCID probe

by Dhaneshi Yatawara

The number of investigations carried out by the Police Financial Criminal Investigation Division (FCID) has increased by 17 more cases, during the past two weeks.

At present, 69 investigations are being carried out by the Division, said Police Spokesman, ASP Ruwan Gunasekara. The FCID has submitted the ‘B’ report to the relevant Magistrate Courts with regard to 31 investigations so far, he said.

In a bid to broaden the scope of the investigations, the government is currently holding discussions with legal experts to study the possibility of the public directly complaining to the FCID. So far, the FCID has launched investigations on complaints received through the Cabinet Sub-Committee headed by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Last week, UPFA General Secretary Susil Premajayantha told a media briefing that the SLFP would institute legal action to cancel of the gazette by which the FCID was set up, alleging that it was established on the instructions of the Cabinet Sub-Committee headed by the Prime Minister.

“The party is of the view that this makes the entire process biased and unethical,” Premajayantha told reporters.

A legal expert, speaking on the basis of anonymity, noted that an attempt to enhance the scope of the FCID and provide for the public to directly complain to the FCID without going through the Cabinet Sub-Committee or the IGP will reduce the public suspicion on investigations being politically motivated.

Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera told the media in Colombo last week there was little possibility of having the FCID scrapped because ‘setting it up and probing corruption was a key aspect of the mandate given to us. Those who want it abolished are guilty and that’s why they clamour for its abolition”.