Presidential Security chief surrenders to court

[TamilNet, Sunday, 03 February 2002, 21:41 GMT]
The Director of the Presidential Security Division (PSD) Mr.Nihal Karunaretna Sunday afternoon surrendered to the Kandy Chief Magistrate. The Chief Magistrate Mr.C.V.Rajapakse last Tuesday issued arrest warrant on him on an application made by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) that he was wanted in connection with a complaint that he had threatened the Officer-in-Charge of the Hanguranketha Police with death.

Mr.Nihal Karunaretna,Assistant Superintendent of Police was later released on one hundred thousand rupees personal bail with two sureties. The Chief Magistrate ordered the suspect to appear in court on February 12. The court ordered the PSD chief to make a statement to the CID within three days' time.

The PSD came in for severe criticism when the PA was in power that it had involved in various crimes against the United National Party and its supporters.However President Chandrika Kumaratunge has defended the PSD that it had not been involved in any wrong-doing or illegal activities when the PA was in command of the parliament.

President Chandrika Kumaratunge has already informed the United National Front (UNF) government her intention to address the nation to put the record straight over several allegations involving the PSD.