Man arrested over terror camp in Pallai claim remanded

A man arrested by the Police Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) for spreading false news regarding an alleged camp belonging to a banned organisation in the Pallai reserve was remanded until September 2 by Colombo Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena today (19).

Magistrate Amarasena issued the order following submissions made by the TID when the case was called in court.

The remanded individual was identified as Sangeeth Jayasekara.

Sangeeth Jayasekara, presenting himself as the Executive Director of the Intercontinental Human Rights Organisation, recently held a media briefing claiming that a training camp and bomb manufacturing facility belonging to a banned organisation existed within a reserve in Pallai, Kilinochchi, investigating officers informed the court.

Investigating officers also notified the court that the suspect used several forged identity cards.

The statements made by the suspect were completely false, investigating officers informed the court.

Issuing such statements threatens peace and risks public disturbance, the TID told the court, noting that the suspect was arrested under Sections 120 and 485 of the Penal Code.

The TID further informed the court that an investigation team was dispatched to Kilinochchi to investigate the matter.

Pallai Police previously reported facts to the court and filed cases against local Tamil residents entering the reserve for farming and business activities, investigating officers noted.

The Inspector General of Police refuted all statements made during the press conference the following day.

The IGP stated that a Tamil businessman was constructing a farm and a garment factory in the Pallai reserve, and legal action was initiated against the businessman as it was an illegal construction, investigating officers informed the court.