Sangeeth arrested for spreading misleading stories about an LTTE camp in Palai forest

Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasekara ordered the remand of a suspect, who allegedly spread false propaganda about an LTTE training camp and a bomb manufacturing facility operating within the Palai Reserve, which falls under the Akkarayankulam Police Division in Kilinochchi, until September 02. The individual arrested by the Counter-Terrorism and Investigation Division and subsequently remanded was Rambukewela Adhikari Sangeeth Jayasekara, a 46-year-old resident of Bellanwila, Boralesgamuwa.

Police reported to the court that the suspect, posing as the Executive Director of the Intercontinental Human Rights Organization, held a press conference and released this unconfirmed information to social media. The identity card he presented was not issued by the Department for Registration of Persons, and investigations are also underway regarding his impersonation of others using different identity cards. The Magistrate ordered the heads of Sirasa, Rupavahini, Derana, Swarnavahini, Independent Television, Hiru, Siyatha, and VFM channels, which broadcast the press conference related to the incident, to provide unedited video footage to the Criminal Investigation Department for examination.

Although the suspect stated that he made this statement based on information provided by an employee of the Forest Conservation Department, the name of the informant has not been revealed. Palai Police have reported on Tamil people illegally settling and cultivating in the area mentioned by the suspect, and lawsuits have also been filed against a Tamil national businessman for illegally constructing a farm and a garment factory in the said reserve. A police team has departed to inspect the area related to the statement, and legal action has been taken against the suspect under sections 490, 485, 454, 459 of the Penal Code and the Police Ordinance.

The Magistrate questioned the police as to why facts were not reported under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, given that such statements cause disunity among communities, and the police stated that they would report the facts to the court in due course. Although Attorney Sudarshani Gunaratne, appearing for the suspect, made a bail application, the Magistrate emphasized the seriousness of the statement about the existence of a bomb factory and rejected the bail application, taking as an example the situation that would arise if someone claimed bombs were being made within the court premises. The suspect was ordered to be remanded, with the Magistrate instructing the police to file a further report regarding the serious statement that could cause disunity among communities.