Criminal Investigation Department

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Details

Type: Police investigation unit
Appears on: Easter attacks
The Rajapaksa family
Presidents since 2019
Politicians and investigators
The Treasury bond cases
Attacks on journalists and media, 2009 to 2026

Connections (24)

Criminal Investigation Department / Arrested, February 2026 / Suresh SallayAllegation
- An investigator said: “He was arrested for conspiracy and aiding and abetting the Easter Sunday attacks.” Sallay had previously denied involvement.25 Feb 2026 · Al Jazeera · Sri Lanka's former intelligence chief arrested over 2019 Easter attacks
- A special CID team arrested him in Peliyagoda in the early hours of 25 February 2026.25 Feb 2026 · Ada Derana · Former Head of State Intelligence Suresh Sallay arrested by CID
- To be detained for 90 days for questioning over the attacks.28 Feb 2026 · Newswire · Former State Intelligence Chief to Be Detained for 90 Days Over Easter Attack Probe
- On 5 March 2026 the CID told the Colombo Magistrate’s Court it had named him the third suspect in the investigation; a former Eastern Province police superintendent and two others had been named before him. Asked whether there was evidence, the CID said its investigations had uncovered some. The article does not describe it.5 Mar 2026 · Newswire · CID names Suresh Sallay as third suspect in Easter attacks probe
- Found fit for discharge from hospital and due to return to CID custody; detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.6 Oct 2026 · Newswire · Suresh Sallay fit for hospital discharge, to return to CID custody
Criminal Investigation Department / Investigating / Easter Sunday attacks, 21 April 2019
- Describes the arrest as part of the ongoing investigation into the bombings; a trial of 25 accused is under way at the Colombo High Court.25 Feb 2026 · Ada Derana · Former Head of State Intelligence Suresh Sallay arrested by CID
Criminal Investigation Department / Arrested, April 2025 / Pillayan (Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan)Allegation
- Arrested in Batticaloa on 8 April 2025 and held on a 90-day detention order under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. He challenged the detention in the Supreme Court; in April 2026 a magistrate remanded him pending the Attorney General’s advice.2 Apr 2026 · Ada Derana · Former State Minister Pillayan remanded
Criminal Investigation Department / Obtained court order barring travel by, 2026 / Gotabaya RajapaksaAllegation
- A two-judge Court of Appeal bench dismissed, without taking it up for hearing, his petition for an order preventing his arrest and detention under the Prevention of Terrorism Act in the Easter attacks investigation.1 Oct 2026 · Ada Derana · Appeals Court dismisses ex-President Gotabaya’s writ petition against arrest over Easter attacks probe
- The petition named the Inspector General of Police, the CID Director and the Attorney General as respondents. The Attorney General’s Department had told the court it could not undertake that he would not be arrested. The article notes that he has denied involvement and that the dismissal does not by itself establish criminal liability.1 Oct 2026 · Newswire · Court blow for Gota over Easter attacks probe
- He filed an appeal in the Supreme Court against the Court of Appeal ruling, naming the Inspector General of Police, the CID Director and several others as respondents.9 Oct 2026 · Newswire · Gotabaya Rajapaksa appeals Supreme Court over PTA arrest bid
- AFP: following Sallay’s interrogation, investigators secured court orders preventing former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa from leaving the island. The report says the CID had stopped short of naming him as a suspect.10 Jun 2026 · AFP (via Macau Business) · Sri Lanka says spy chief 'directed' Easter bombings
Criminal Investigation Department / Arrested over the Easter attacks; released by court, November 2022 / Rishad BathiudeenAllegation
- He had been arrested by the CID and named a suspect in a case filed over the attacks. On 2 November 2022 the Colombo Fort Magistrate released him from it.2 Nov 2022 · Ada Derana · Rishad released from case filed over Easter attacks
Criminal Investigation Department / Summoned for questioning, February 2026 / Namal RajapaksaAllegation
- Summoned for an inquiry into alleged associations with a detained member of an organised criminal group; he sought a one-week extension. The report mentions no charge.3 Feb 2026 · News 1st · Namal and Shiranthi Rajapaksa Summoned to CID and FCID Over Financial Irregularities and Criminal Links
Criminal Investigation Department / Opened law exam inquiry into, February 2025 / Namal RajapaksaAllegation
- The CID began an inquiry after a civic group complained that he obtained his law qualification unlawfully with help from two attorneys. The report carries no response from him and mentions no charge.14 Feb 2025 · Ada Derana · CID launches probe into law exam 'cheating' allegations against Namal
Criminal Investigation Department / Arrested, August 2025 / Ranil WickremesingheAllegation
- Arrested in Colombo while giving a statement, over the alleged use of public funds for a 2023 stop in Britain where his wife received an honorary professorship.22 Aug 2025 · UPI · Former Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe arrested on misuse of funds charges
- Released on three personal bail bonds of Rs. 5 million each. The article reports an ongoing CID investigation and does not mention an indictment.30 Sep 2026 · Newswire · Ranil's misuse of state funds case to be taken up today
Shani Abeysekara / Director of, from June 2025 / Criminal Investigation Department
- Appointed to lead the CID with the approval of the National Police Commission.28 Jun 2025 · Ada Derana · SSP Shani Abeysekara appointed as CID Director
Ravi Seneviratne / Formerly in charge of / Criminal Investigation Department
- He previously served as the Senior DIG in charge of the CID.23 Sep 2024 · Ada Derana · Ravi Seneviratne appointed Secretary of Public Security
Criminal Investigation Department / Arrested, August 2025 / Deshabandu TennakoonAllegation
- Arrested at his home after a magistrate rejected his application for anticipatory bail.20 Aug 2025 · Ada Derana · Former IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon arrested
Criminal Investigation Department / Arrested, July 2025 / Nishantha UlugetenneAllegation
- Arrested in an investigation into the abduction and murder of a person in Pothuhera. The victim was reportedly held at a clandestine detention facility under his command when he headed naval intelligence.28 Jul 2025 · News 1st · Former Sri Lanka Navy Commander Arrested Over Alleged Murder
Criminal Investigation Department / Arrested over the Easter attacks; released by court, November 2022 / Rishad BathiudeenAllegation
- He had been named a suspect in a case filed over the Easter Sunday attacks after his arrest by the CID. On 2 November 2022 the Colombo Fort Magistrate released him from the case; Ada Derana reports this as an acquittal.2 Nov 2022 · Ada Derana · Rishad released from case filed over Easter attacks
Criminal Investigation Department / Brought / Diana Gamage immigration case
- The Criminal Investigation Department filed the case under the Immigration and Emigration Act.30 Oct 2025 · Newswire · Trial begins against Diana Gamage over immigration offences
Criminal Investigation Department / Investigating / Washington embassy building inquiry
- The CID told the court the matter had been referred to the Attorney General for advice.22 Jul 2026 · Newswire · Warrant issued for ex‑Ambassador Jaliya Wickramasuriya over misappropriation of funds
Criminal Investigation Department / Arrested, December 2023 / Jerome FernandoAllegation
- Arrested after giving statements on two days following his return from six months overseas. He was wanted over allegedly derogatory statements about the Buddha, Islam and Hinduism in May 2023, for which he had issued several apologies.1 Dec 2023 · Newswire · Pastor Jerome Fernando arrested - Police
- On 5 March 2025 the Fort Magistrate’s Court lifted his overseas travel ban.5 Mar 2025 · Newswire · Court lifts overseas travel ban on Pastor Jerome Fernando
Criminal Investigation Department / Directed to take a statement from, September 2025 / Lalith WeeratungaAllegation
- According to a Sunday Times report relayed by Newswire, the CID’s Financial Crimes Investigation Unit reopened an inquiry into a duty-free bus imported for the Sports Ministry that was allegedly diverted to a preschool owned by Shiranthi Rajapaksa, and was directed to summon him to record a statement. The article carries no response from him.14 Sep 2025 · Newswire · CID investigates Siriliya–Carlton Sports Ministry bus deal
Criminal Investigation Department / Investigated / CID inquiry into Perpetual Treasuries payment claim, 2018
- Summoned him and recorded his statement on 11 June 2018.12 Jun 2018 · Daily FT · CID questions MP Dayasiri Jayasekara for nearly six hours
Criminal Investigation Department / Seeking extradition of, April 2018 / Arjuna MahendranAllegation
- Police said Interpol had issued a red notice and the CID would coordinate with the Foreign Ministry and others to extradite him.21 Apr 2018 · Daily FT · Interpol issues red notice for Arjuna Mahendran over bond sale
Criminal Investigation Department / Investigating the killing in / Killing of Iron Ranasinghe (“SF Loku”)Allegation
- Reports that the CID’s Organised Crime Investigation unit arrested a suspect, Kasun Madusanka alias “Batta”, aged 39, on 7 October 2026, about six years after the 5 August 2020 shooting, and that the CID asked the Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate for travel bans as part of its investigation. The suspect’s lawyer told the court the CID’s conduct appeared staged and that it had unlawfully arrested former Anuradhapura police officers not connected to the killing. The court ordered a psychiatric examination before deciding whether to allow the suspect to make a statement, and remanded him until the 26th, a month the article does not name.13 Oct 2026 · Hiru News · Three former Anuradhapura police officers and a former municipal councillor banned from traveling abroad in connection with the SF Loko murder incident
Criminal Investigation Department / Investigated / Forcible entry to Temple Trees case, 2022Allegation
- The suspects released on bail on 26 August 2022 had been arrested by the CID.26 Aug 2022 · Ada Derana · More activists arrested over forcible entry to state buildings granted bail
Criminal Investigation Department / To coordinate his extradition after an Interpol red notice, April 2018 / Arjuna MahendranAllegation
- Daily FT reports that Interpol issued a red notice for him in connection with the Treasury bond investigation and that the police spokesman said the extradition process had begun, with the CID coordinating with other institutions. The article does not say who requested the notice and carries no response from him.21 Apr 2018 · Daily FT · Interpol issues red notice for Arjuna Mahendran over bond sale
Criminal Investigation Department / Resumed its investigation, per the Ministry of Public Security, August 2025 / Killing of Lasantha Wickrematunge, January 2009Allegation
- News 1st reports, citing the Ministry of Public Security, that the CID has resumed its investigation, conducted in addition to the investigations previously carried out.24 Aug 2025 · News 1st · CID Reopens Probe into Lasantha Wickrematunga’s Murder
- News 1st reports that three people held over the abduction of the driver and the disappearance of a document from the vehicle were released for insufficient evidence, and that the Attorney General’s Department said no new files had been submitted.12 Feb 2025 · News 1st · AG’s Department Refutes Claims of Recall on Release of Individuals in Lasantha Wickramatunga Case
Criminal Investigation Department / Sent its file to the Attorney General, August 2025 / Abduction and disappearance of Keith Noyahr
- News 1st reports that the CID has sent the file on the abduction and disappearance of journalist Keith Noyahr to the Attorney General.24 Aug 2025 · News 1st · CID Reopens Probe into Lasantha Wickrematunga’s Murder