Police battle leaks as Schaffter murder probe drags
COLOMBO – Sri Lanka police chief has warned detectives about leaking information relating to the investigation into the mysterious death of business executive Dinesh Schaffter, after a spate of reports quoted police sources as suggesting suicide as the possible cause.
A top police source who did not wish to be identified said Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Chandana Wickramaratne called all officers involved in the investigation last week and warned them about “inspired leaks” which appeared to suggest a breakthrough in the case, when in fact nothing had been ruled out.
“There are several teams working on various possibilities,” the source said, adding that though suicide was just one of them, but there is nothing substantial to prove it.
“The discovery of cable ties similar to those used to tie his hands does not suggest suicide. In fact, it is possible that the ‘evidence’ may have been planted to divert attention,” he explained.
The source said nothing has been ruled out as forensic reports were awaited on phone analysis and data from mobile communication towers in the vicinity of the General Cemetery Kanatte where Schaffter was found with his hands tied at the wheel of his Toyota Camry.
The 51-year-old was found strangled on the evening of December 15.
The complex task of tracking base station data could take weeks, the officer said.
Police have already interviewed over 70 people in connection with the case.
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