Chief of Defense Staff Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne has arrived at Fort Magistrate’s Court to appear before the court over allegations of harbouring ‘Navy Sampath’.

The former Navy Commander is accused of aiding and abetting Lieutenant Commander Chandana Hettiarachchi, also known as ‘Navy Sampath’, the main suspect in the abduction, unlawful detention and murder of 11 youths in 2008 and 2009.

The CID on September 02, 2018 sending a letter to the Chief of Defense Staff had informed him to give a statement regarding the allegations on supporting Navy Sampath to evade the court and/or providing protection by preventing him being arrested.

Hettiarachchi Mudiyanselage Chandana Prasad Hettiarachchi alias ‘Navy Sampath’ was arrested by the CID on August 13, 2018 in connection with the abduction, torture, extortion and murder of 11 persons in 2008 and 2009.

Police recently told the court the admiral had protected the navy intelligence officer, who is the main suspect in the case.

Wijegunaratne has been summoned to appear at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) yesterday to record a statement.

The CID had summoned the Chief of Defence Staff for questioning once before, however Wijegunaratne had failed to appear due to traveling overseas for an official visit.

The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court had ordered the police to arrest Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne on two occasions.