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Judge's killing ordered by drug dealer, says IGP
Mastermind among seven suspects in custody
The drug kingpin who allegedly contracted the killing of High Court Judge, Sarath Ambepitiya was due to be sentenced in an attempted murder case by the judge within the next few days before the killing took place, Police investigations have revealed.

The drug dealer identified as Niyaz Nauffer, who was also charged for two other drug trafficking cases, was on bail at the time of the assassination of the judge on November 19.

Nauffer is among seven suspects who have been arrested and remanded until Monday when they will be produced for an identification parade in courts. All three cases against the drug dealer was pending before Mr. Ambepitiya.

IGP Chandra Fernando told a news conference yesterday that all seven suspects were arrested within the Western Province. He said all evidence was scientifically verified leading to the early breakthrough in the investigations.

He said according to investigations conducted so far it was apparent there had been a conspiracy in the killing of the judge and the evidence available confirms the killing was ordered by a drug dealer.

Mr. Fernando said that within four days the Police was able to get the initial breakthrough. The IGP said the National Police Commission in consultation with him on Friday announced the setting up of a Judicial Security Division to provide security to Judges. The new unit will be headed by SSP Ceasar Ranaweera.

The IGP said that the evidence gathered so far did not indicate an LTTE involvement. But other Police sources said they had closely followed the telephone conversations by the suspects and had obtained records of the calls.

They said more suspects are expected to be taken in for questioning while statements of several others who had telephone conversations with the suspects would also be recorded.

Responding to allegations that the police had withdrawn the security of the Judge, Mr. Fernando said that due to other commitments including Parliamentary duty, several picketings and strikes in the city the Police had to be deployed accordingly and therefore they may have been withdrawn.

'But, that was not a case of negligence by the Police', he said. Despite the offer of a Rs. one million reward for any information leading to the arrest of any of the suspects, the IGP said there was no substantial evidence from the public.

'Several people called us, but they could not provide any breakthrough', he said. Accordingly the Rs. one million will be added to the reward money which could even go up to Rs. five million, the IGP added.

The IGP said new laws to deal with organised crime, drug trafficking and the possession of illegal fire arms would be introduced.

Cabinet to discuss criminal law amendments
A Cabinet discussion on proposed amendments to criminal laws has been fixed for next week. The discussion was due to take place at a special Cabinet meeting yesterday, but has been differed as the President was out of the country, Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle told The Sunday Times.

The Sunday Times learns that among the matters to be discussed is a proposal on increasing the period of detention from 24 hours to 72 hours. Currently a suspect should be produced before a magistrate within 24 hours.

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