Malaka Silva appears in public
Police manhunt still on
By Binoy Suriyaarachchi
Despite a manhunt being launched by the police to nab Minister Mervyn Silva’s son, Malaka and the late Minister Mano Wijeratne’s stepson, Rehan Wijeratne – who are accused of assaulting an Army officer, Malaka Silva was seen paying homage to the Kapilavastu Relics that were on display at the Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya yesterday afternoon, accompanied by his father and a large security contingent.
Malaka’s unexpected public appearance comes in the wake of a statement issued by the police, assuring that two police teams attached to the Slave Island Police have been deployed to arrest the two suspects.
Police Spokesman, SSP Ajith Rohana said the manhunt was launched after viewing the CCTV camera footage, which had captured the incident where the two politicians’ sons had assaulted an Army Major at the Jaic Hilton Hotel, during the wee hours of Sunday, 2 September.
The Major, lodging a complaint at the Slave Island Police, had said he had been assaulted by Malaka Silva and Rehan Wijeratne.
SSP Rohana said the service pistol and the mobile phone that were reportedly disappeared during the assault, were handed over to the Slave Island Police on Monday (10) afternoon, through the driver of Mervyn Silva’s son.
The driver had told the police that he had picked up the officer’s service firearm and the mobile phone from the floor, while the two parties were fighting.
The police spokesman added that statements of Malaka Silva and Rehan Wijeratne had not been recorded yet.
Acting Army Spokesperson, Brigadier G.V. Ravipriya told Ceylon Today, that a military inquiry regarding the incident will be initiated, once the police conclude their preliminary inquiry.
“We hope that the police will take the necessary steps to apprehend the suspects, according to the rules and procedures of the law. We hope to see that justice is done,” Brigadier Ravipriya said.
Ceylon Today learns that the Major, who had been receiving treatment at the Colombo National Hospital, has been transferred to the Army Hospital.
Meanwhile, the late Minister Wijeyratne’s brother, Anuradha Wijeratne told Ceylon Today that the suspect Rehan Wijeratne is the late minister’s stepson.
“Rehan is the stepson of Mano and not his biological son. Rehan is the son of his second wife. He is using the Wijeratne name for political reasons,” he said.
