Criminal Investigations Department Chief Inspector Nishantha Silva has reportedly left the country this afternoon, informed sources said.

Silva was handling several sensitive investigations including the disappearance of Prageeth Eknaligoda, Lasantha Wickrematunga's murder and the abductions of 11 youth.

Our sources indicated that Silva had left for Switzerland with his family.

The development comes a few days after the transfer of CID Director Shani Abeysekera as the Personal Assistant to the Southern Province - DIG.