Investigations into those who 'disappeared' Kudu Salindu's files at the Panadura Court

Statements have been recorded from 10 court employees regarding the disappearance of files related to two cases being heard at the Panadura Magistrate's Court against Salindu Malsitha Gunaratne, an organized criminal and drug trafficker, also known as 'Kudu Salindu'. Senior Superintendent of Police Nishan de Silva, in charge of the Panadura Division, stated that among those who gave statements, seven are female officers.

The Registrar of the Panadura Magistrate's Court lodged a complaint with the Panadura South Headquarters Police on the 1st regarding this disappearance. Following the submission of a 'B' report to the court based on that complaint, the Panadura Divisional Criminal Investigation Bureau has commenced further investigations.

The missing items are a case file related to an alleged murder that occurred in the Panadura North area, orchestrated by 'Kudu Salindu', and a report related to a case filed by the Criminal Investigation Department under the Money Laundering Act. On the 28th, when the Criminal Investigation Department called the relevant case via a motion, the main file could not be found, so it was postponed until the 31st using a sub-file. Subsequent inquiries confirmed that both these case files are missing.

Police preliminary investigations have revealed that the case files went missing while they were handed over to an office assistant for obtaining copies and archiving. CCTV camera footage installed in the court complex is also scheduled to be examined in connection with this incident.

Under the instructions of Senior Superintendent of Police Nishan de Silva, in charge of the Panadura Division, and Assistant Superintendent of Police Kamal Jayaneththi, further investigations are being carried out under the direction of Chief Inspector Rohan Vishwanath, OIC of the Panadura Divisional Criminal Investigation Bureau, and Chief Inspector Upul Priyankara Naullage of the Panadura Headquarters.