Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07COLOMBO386
2007-03-08 10:23:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Colombo
Cable title:
POLICE CHIEF DISCLOSES ARRESTS OF SECURITY FORCES
how-toVZCZCXRO9483 PP RUEHBI RUEHLMC DE RUEHLM #0386 0671023 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 081023Z MAR 07 FM AMEMBASSY COLOMBO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5603 INFO RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN 0262 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 0722 RUEHNY/AMEMBASSY OSLO 3677 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 2757 RUEHCG/AMCONSUL CHENNAI 7486 RUEHBI/AMCONSUL MUMBAI 5194 RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORPORATION RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI
C O N F I D E N T I A L COLOMBO 000386
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/INS
USPACOM FOR FPA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/08/2017
TAGS: PREL PTER PHUM CE
SUBJECT: POLICE CHIEF DISCLOSES ARRESTS OF SECURITY FORCES
FOR HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES
Classified By: Ambassador Robert O. Blake, Jr. for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L COLOMBO 000386
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/INS
USPACOM FOR FPA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/08/2017
TAGS: PREL PTER PHUM CE
SUBJECT: POLICE CHIEF DISCLOSES ARRESTS OF SECURITY FORCES
FOR HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES
Classified By: Ambassador Robert O. Blake, Jr. for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).
1. (SBU) Police Inspector General Victor Perera told
selected members of the press on Tuesday, March 6, that "a
large number" of police officers and troops had been arrested
on charges of abduction and extortion. In some instances, he
said, ransoms had been paid abroad. He indicated that among
433 people arrested since September over the abductions, a
large number were either policemen, soldiers or deserters
from the police and armed forces.
2. (C) Since this is the first public admission by a senior
government official that members of the security forces have
been involved in and arrrested for abduction and extortion,
Ambassador asked the RSO to request an appointment for the
Ambassador to meet Perera to get more details about exacly
how many policemen had been arrested and the status of
whatever investigations and prosecutions may be ongoing. The
Embassy enjoys excellent relations with Perera and has
regular contact with him. However, on this occasion,
Perera's staff informed the RSO staff that Perera had been
told not to accept any outside high level appointments or
meet with the press without the direct authorization of
Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
3. (C) COMMENT: This marks another clear attempt on the
part of Rajapaksa to silence well meaning public servants who
may be trying to address the significant number of abductions
that have taken place. The Embassy will look for
opportunities to talk more informally and less visibly with
Perera to get his side of the story.
BLAKE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/INS
USPACOM FOR FPA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/08/2017
TAGS: PREL PTER PHUM CE
SUBJECT: POLICE CHIEF DISCLOSES ARRESTS OF SECURITY FORCES
FOR HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES
Classified By: Ambassador Robert O. Blake, Jr. for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).
1. (SBU) Police Inspector General Victor Perera told
selected members of the press on Tuesday, March 6, that "a
large number" of police officers and troops had been arrested
on charges of abduction and extortion. In some instances, he
said, ransoms had been paid abroad. He indicated that among
433 people arrested since September over the abductions, a
large number were either policemen, soldiers or deserters
from the police and armed forces.
2. (C) Since this is the first public admission by a senior
government official that members of the security forces have
been involved in and arrrested for abduction and extortion,
Ambassador asked the RSO to request an appointment for the
Ambassador to meet Perera to get more details about exacly
how many policemen had been arrested and the status of
whatever investigations and prosecutions may be ongoing. The
Embassy enjoys excellent relations with Perera and has
regular contact with him. However, on this occasion,
Perera's staff informed the RSO staff that Perera had been
told not to accept any outside high level appointments or
meet with the press without the direct authorization of
Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
3. (C) COMMENT: This marks another clear attempt on the
part of Rajapaksa to silence well meaning public servants who
may be trying to address the significant number of abductions
that have taken place. The Embassy will look for
opportunities to talk more informally and less visibly with
Perera to get his side of the story.
BLAKE