TID interrogates JVP newspaper editor

[TamilNet, Monday, 07 September 2009, 11:48 GMT]
Police Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) interrogated Mr.Chandana Sirimalwatte, the Chief Editor of the pro-JVP newspaper ‘Lanka’ for three hours Sunday regarding the three journalists who are being detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and Emergency Regulations(ER) since their arrest, Colombo sources said.

The three journalists, Ravindra Pushpakumara, Shalika Wimalasena and Daya Neththasinghe were arrested last Wednesday in Deniyaya and later transferred to Colombo and are now in the custody of the TID.

Mr. Sirimalwatte is reported to have told TID personnel that the journalists were sent to cover the Southern Provincial Council elections and they were asked to investigate some information the newspaper received that government vehicles were being used to develop a private property in Deniyaya.

Police spokesman Nimal Mediwake said that according to eye witnesses in the estate that the journalists had entered the estate on the pretext of officers from the Tea Research Institute (TRI), Presidential Secretariat and the Defence Ministry.

The police had earlier said investigations are being carried out to ascertain whether there was a plot to assassinate the President.