Masked men enter TNA MP's house in Colombo

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 09 April 2008, 13:28 GMT]
Masked men in black uniform entered the house of Tamil parliamentarian Suresh Premachandran, a prominent leader of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), in the early hours of Wednesday, forced the care-taker of the house into a room saying that they were from the CID, and dug several holes at in the backyard. After they left, Police came to the house, went directly to the backyard without talking to the caretaker and finally detained him till Wednesday noon at Wattala police. Mr. Premachandran, expressing suspicion that some elements 'clothed with legal authority' have acted with the 'sinister motive' to cause disrepute to him, has lodged a complaint with the Inspector General of Police (IGP).

The TNA has released the full text of the complaint by Suresh Premachandran to media:

Suresh K.Premachandran,MP.
C33, Parliament Qurters,
Madiwela,
Sri Jeyawardanapura Kotte,


8th April 2008

The Inspector General of Police,
Police Head Qurters,
Colombo

Complaint regarding into my House at Wattala

I am having a house at 85/9, Pokuna Road, Hendala ,Wattala. Mr.T.jeyasparan a long standing member of my party, EPRLF is the Care-taker of the above house. On the 8th of April early morning at about 2.30am. about five or six men all of whom were in black uniform and with their faces masked went into the house without any prior information.

They forced the Care-taker into one of rooms and had him detained with one of whom guarding him. The rest went to the backyard of the house, and dug at several places for 15 ˆ 20 minutes. Then they went off.

The man who was guarding my Care-taker told him that they were from the C.I.D. After they left, the emergency police came to my house about 4.00am. My Care-taker opened the door and the police without saying anything went to the backyard directly and saw the place. Then they came back and questioned my Care-taker about the intruders. Then my Care-taker was taken to the Wattala Police station where he was detained. Later, Wattala Police recorded his statement and released him at noon.

This house was purchased by me long time back. The neighbours are aware of this fact. I was living there till I shifted last year to Parliament Quarters. The Wattala Police also know that this house belongs to me. My Care-taker has registered his name with the Wattala Police as its resident.

I have grave suspicion that some elements clothed with legal authority have been responsible for the said incident. It appears that they have acted with the sinister motive to put me into difficulty and cause disrepute to me.

In these circumstances, I request you to order an immediate and full scale investigation in respect of the said incident.

I shall be very much obliged if you could ensure that a round the clock Police security is provided to my said house.

Yours truly,
Suresh K.Premachandran
Member of Parliament