July 04, Colombo: The Presidential Commission appointed to investigate alleged incidents of political victimization has issued notices to former ministers of the Yahapalana Government Rajitha Senaratne, Ranjith Madduma Bandara and DM Swaminathan, Ranjan Ramanayake and Ajith P Perera citing them as respondents.

The order was issued by the Chairman of the Commission, former Supreme Court Judge Upali Abeyratne when the complaint lodged by Rear Admiral DKP Dissanayake, who had been arrested and remanded allegedly on false evidence, was taken up yesterday,

The Chairman of the Commission ordered to issue notice on seven persons including Deputy Inspector Generals (DIGs) Ravi Waidyalankara and Ravi Seneviratne and President's Counsel JC Weliamuna to appear before the Commission.

Although former Director of the CID, Shani Abeysekara and ASP BS Tissera were issued notice, they did not appear before the Commission yesterday.

Testifying before the Commission, Rear Admiral DKP Dassanayake said attempts were made to use him as a witness to charge the then Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and former Navy Commander Wasantha Karannagoda in an abduction case.

Dasanayake said that after the attempt failed, he was indicted on false charges.

Rear Admiral Dasanayake said an investigation team of the Criminal Investigation Department attempted to prove that former Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and former Navy Commander Wasantha Karannagoda committed war crimes.

Dasanayake said he was arrested on false evidence given by former Navy Commander Travis Sinniah. As a result, during the last five and half year’s period he had lost several things including the promotions he was due to receive and according to the seniority he should be in the second or third rank in the Navy. But now he is at 14th place in rank, he said,

Rear Admiral Dasanayake said he has been now promoted to Vice Admiral rank on a temporary basis and requested the Commission to reinstate him on the seniority.