by Hemantha Randunu

Investigations into the assassination of the Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wickramatunge were handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department yesterday on a directive from IGP Mahinda Balasuriya.

The probe had earlier been conducted by the Mirihana Police.

A team of special investigators, under the supervision of ASP Senaka Kumarasinghe, commenced investigations yesterday.

Lasantha was assassinated on January 8, 2009 near the Malagalage Junior School in Attidiya and later a man identified as Sugath Perera was remanded in connection with the theft of the victim?s mobile phone. Police, however, failed to make a breakthrough in the probe.

The Mirihana Police yesterday informed the Mount Lavinia Magistrate that investigations had been handed over to the CID.

When the trial into the assassination was taken up on an earlier occasion, the Counsel looking after the interests of the victim?s family requested the Court to transfer the case to the CID as the Mirihana police had made little progress and were slow in conducting investigations.

He had told the Mount Lavinia Chief Magistrate that after a long drawn-out investigation only an innocent person had been detained so far. The Counsel was directed to request the IGP to transfer the case to the CID.

Courtesy: The Island