Statements have been recorded from ten court employees over the disappearance of two case files involving alleged organised crime figure and drug trafficker Salindu Malsitha Gunaratne, alias “Kudu Salindu,” from the Panadura Magistrate’s Court.
Panadura Division Senior Superintendent of Police Nishan de Silva said seven female officers were among those questioned.
The investigation was launched following a complaint lodged with the Panadura South Headquarters Police by the Registrar of the Panadura Magistrate’s Court on September 1.
After reporting facts to court through a ‘B’ report, the Panadura Divisional Crime Investigation Bureau commenced further investigations.
The missing documents relate to a murder allegedly carried out in the Panadura North area under Kudu Salindu’s direction and a money laundering case filed by the Criminal Investigation Department.
The CID had sought to call one of the cases by filing a motion on August 28. However, as the relevant report could not be located, the matter was rescheduled for August 31 using a sub-file.
A subsequent search revealed that the two case files were missing.
Preliminary police investigations found that the files had disappeared after being handed to an office assistant for copies to be made and subsequently placed in the archives.
Police are expected to examine CCTV footage from the court complex as part of the investigation.
Further investigations are being conducted by the Panadura Divisional Crime Investigation Bureau under the direction of senior police officers.
