Sri Lanka’s Police Shake Up: Arrest Worries India, But Ain’t No Crime Drama
Colombo — The country’s biggest law enforcer, Nalaka De Silva, found himself on wheels after police pinned a “Jack the President” plot on him. Police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara described the arrest as a “five‑day long car chase of interrogation” that ended with De Silva tossed into a neat little jail cell.
What’s the Story?
- Police say De Silva allegedly conspired to kill President Maithripala Sirisena, top police officers, and a former defence secretary.
- He’s a former deputy inspector general, so the stakes are high. Magistrates have arraigned him to stay locked up until November 7.
- The heart of the drama? An informant went on a media rant about De Silva (no one told anyone else). Police are now hunting for deleted phone data with a little help from Huawei, because they hit a legal wall and got the court’s ok.
- De Silva’s lawyers are radio‑silent right now.
Why India Is Feeling the Heat
When an Indian newspaper accused Sirisena of blaming Indian spies, both the Indian government and Colombo politely brushed it off. Now they’re watching de‑Silva’s plot like a bad sequel, because it could stir up tensions between the two neighbors. But both sides remain tight‑lipped, stating, “We are not involved.”
All in All
It’s a classic double‑header: a murder plot inside Sri Lanka and an international diplomatic pinch. As the drama unfolds, the world eyes Colombo’s next move, hoping it’ll be a calm resolution rather than a full‑blown thriller.
