(COLOMBO, LANKAPUVATH) –Director of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), Shani Abeysekara, who handled several high profile cases, has been transferred.
The National Police Commission approved the transfer on a request made by the acting Inspector General of Police (IGP).
He has been assigned as the Personal Assistant to the Southern Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) W Thilakarathna has been appointed as the new Director of the CID.
Shani Abeysekara led CID investigations into the disappearance of cartoonist Prageeth Ekneligoda, the assault on journalist Upali Tennekoon, the murder of journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge and the disappearance of 11 youth.
The Director of the Criminal Investigations Department came under fire after the CID arrested some military officers in connection to the high profile cases.
Abeysekara was also instrumental in clearing the name of Kurunegala Base Hospital doctor Shafi Shihabdeen.
The doctor was accused of illegal sterilisation of Sinhalese women but the CID had found that the doctor was framed and that there was no evidence to prove the allegations.
