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Last Updated : 2024-04-23 22:35:00
17 June 2020 10:04 pm - 44 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Former President Maithripala Sirisena once again denied that he was aware of intelligence reports prior to the Easter Sunday attacks, stating that he would have prevented the attack if he had received such alert.
The Former President made these comments during an interview with the BBC Sinhala.
Excerpts of the interview:
Journalist: Were you aware of an imminent attack?
MS: If I was aware, would I have let it happen? What kind of question is that?
BBC: You were the Minister of Defence, the Commander in Chief, the Intelligence Services was under your purview. Having received prior intelligence reports, what exactly was the lapse here?
MS: The lapses have been exposed through investigations. Those who were responsible have clearly been revealed. The ones who held responsibility have been interdicted and the cases are being heard in court.
BBC: Would you or former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe accept responsibility?
MS: Responsibility for what?
BBC: Responsibility for the Easter Sunday attacks...
MS: Why would I accept responsibility? Responsibility should be accepted by those who were responsible.
BBC: You were the President, Minister of Defence, Minister in charge of the Police at the time...
MS: The President does not seize illicit liquor, nor does he catch rapists, drug peddlers or terrorists. The President is entrusted with policy planning, directing and advising.
BBC: There are reports that such directives were not issued...
MS: These duties were properly implemented by the President. It was those below the chain of command have neglected their duties.
BBC: Neither you, nor former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe have accepted responsibility for this attack. You have also not apologised to the public. In other countries, such an event would have witnessed apologies and the resignation of subject ministers. Would you like to make this an opportunity to apologise to the public?
MS: For me to apologise, I should have known about it. You keep on stressing this fact... I am amazed by your repeated questions. If the security officials of both the President and the Prime Minister were unaware of those, how would the President or the Prime Minister know?
ravin Wednesday, 17 June 2020 10:50 PM
Agreed. General public to be blamed for appointing unsuitable person for highly responsible post of running a country. But never ever dream that they will make same mistake again
Andare Wednesday, 17 June 2020 11:08 PM
Utter rubbish.
Mam Wednesday, 17 June 2020 11:14 PM
I THINK YOUR BRAIN NUT LITTLE BIT LOOSE. WHAT A SHAME FOR SRILANKANS HIS BEHAVIOR FRONT OF BBC JOURNALISTS????? NO SENSE AT ALL.
Roshan samarathunga Wednesday, 17 June 2020 11:26 PM
Well be careful eaglemaithri , change his name again responsiblemaithri.
Roshan samarathunga Wednesday, 17 June 2020 11:38 PM
I can’t believe he keeps changing his name Interpol just informed. Interpol just found his name eaglemaithri to leaglemaithri now shamefulmaithri.
Roshan samarathunga Wednesday, 17 June 2020 11:47 PM
Interpol just informed he changed his name again eaglemaithri to distribute scholars for kids.
Kumar Wednesday, 17 June 2020 11:57 PM
Sorry Mr. Sirisena, you are head of state and the buck stop at your desk. While you tangled with Ranil the terrorists were up to no good under your watch.
kumaran Thursday, 18 June 2020 12:03 AM
What a waste of time!! The less we THINK of this nonentity the better.
Magul putha Thursday, 18 June 2020 06:21 AM
Sirisena, you are a has been. Not a very bright one either. Better you shut up and do something useful for humanity like farming.
Raj Gonsalkorale Thursday, 18 June 2020 06:51 AM
Then minister of justice Mr Wijedasa Rajapaksa has stated publicly and without any ambiguity that he had informed the President and PM about an imminent threat way back in 2016. More than 300 people were murdered in April 2019. Not just taking responsibility, the President and PM should be charged for the murder of those innocent people as they could have prevented that massacre had they taken action when warnings were given.
Roger Haĺliday Thursday, 18 June 2020 07:06 AM
Shameless response from the former. The question that should have been asked was why as the IGP claimed he offered a diplomatic posting to the IGP for accepting responsibility. He as the president was finding excuses the pc was a delaying tactic. Never will they take responsibility I mean including the PM
Lokka Thursday, 18 June 2020 07:08 AM
In any other country the head of the security forces would have resigned forthwith. That is the norm in a decent democracy. It has been true with other democracies. Unfortunately this is a country like no other!
Andrew Silva Thursday, 18 June 2020 07:09 AM
You were the President who knew nothing. Your main duty was to galavant in foreign countries by using public money and pretending to attend foreign problems pertaining to Sri Lanka.
Citizen Thursday, 18 June 2020 07:10 AM
This rascal should have been behind bars already. Why should we have interviews on this?
Sunil Thursday, 18 June 2020 07:20 AM
What a moron we elected as our President. If one person is solely responsible for these attacks, it is none other than our former President. If he was not informed of these activities, then there is something drastically and radically wrong with the way he handled matters concerned with the security of the nation. If any other person has to accept responsibility, it is the former PM. Incidentally, shortly after the bombings, the former President was more interested in continuing his shopping spree in Singapore rather than returning to Sri Lanka as soon as possible.
Ramal Thursday, 18 June 2020 07:29 AM
In any other country, he will be now behind bars
Paul Thursday, 18 June 2020 07:36 AM
You were also blamed violating the country's constitution also too. Therefore , You should have been published regarding that unconstitutional act you had done when you were in President but instead you are contesting GE this time too. WHO ARE FOOLING WHOM?
Perera Perera Thursday, 18 June 2020 07:50 AM
The problem was when he tried to overthrow RW and bring back the goone! The country was so preoccupied with the debacle that the terrorists took the opportunity. And what has the current regime done? That is why people should vote wisely.
Sambo Thursday, 18 June 2020 07:53 AM
He came to power to fill his aspirations and also his family. This is the most shameful president we ever had in the history of Sri Lanka. He still lives on the poor peoples taxes but acts as if though he is no burden to the Poor.
Sen Thursday, 18 June 2020 08:02 AM
Why you would accept responsibility - didn't share the responsibility of national security with PM, minister national security,IGP but invited unnecessary visitors there,not given due place to intelligence, released Lactowatta suspects on your order ,who directly involved in Easter massacre, you thought muslim votes always with you,attemd family matters ,leaving national security without caring,you are highly responsible ,should sue and punish, as the President you should shoulder the responsibility
Anura Nanayakkara Thursday, 18 June 2020 08:18 AM
Shameless former President pass the buck saying he did not know anything!! Fault is with the general public for letting him be the President !! The guy is back in the political game thinking of a come back!!
WWW Thursday, 18 June 2020 08:19 AM
This guy is like Judas Iscariot and a cunning fox and took no responsibility whatsoever but cheated the entire nation.
CITIZEN Thursday, 18 June 2020 08:24 AM
Very true. It is the people who elected a "termite-eaten-brain" man as President are only responsible. Whatever it is the best place for him on retirement is "the Asylum".
Hareen Thursday, 18 June 2020 08:25 AM
MS: The President does not seize illicit liquor, nor does he catch rapists, drug peddlers or terrorists. The President is entrusted with policy planning, directing and advising. You are 100% correct, but you can pardon murderers and against the constitution sack the PM and appoint the candidate who lost the presidential election as the PM. How educated are you and how long have you been in Politics when the general public know better than you.
Samson Thursday, 18 June 2020 08:29 AM
Waste of time and money. We have to blame those who voted for Sirisena, who was never interested in the security of the country or it's people. New govt to be elected must do something.
Siv Thursday, 18 June 2020 08:31 AM
Don't worry people will forget you and re elect you to parliament.. our people like that... just throw some promises..
Asanka Thursday, 18 June 2020 09:01 AM
Not sure whether to laugh or cry.
Hamid Thursday, 18 June 2020 11:14 AM
You would have to accept responsibility, because you are the President then
Sen Thursday, 18 June 2020 11:29 AM
These more than 300 deaths, victims still suffering and sorrow of kith and kin and people of the country,he cant hide his face, what ever the words he utters, his conscience reflect on his face,which pricks his heart
dara Thursday, 18 June 2020 11:44 AM
do you really think, you are entitle to retirement benefits
Ram Kumaran Thursday, 18 June 2020 11:52 AM
after ruining the country, he is contesting to the parliament. The party which has given him nomination is also responsible by supporting this irresponsible man. after the election he will be offered a ministirial post so he can lead a luxurious life on public money.
Roshan Thursday, 18 June 2020 04:45 PM
Which ever group this crook supports - they will end in disaster. Its time the current regime imprison this traitor. Else they will loose many supporters.
Moiez Thambiyah Thursday, 18 June 2020 05:03 PM
You and PM should be hanged in front of public at Galle face green, and the people of this country will sleep PEACEFULLY for the crime you did during your tenure as Mad Prssident in this whole world, let me ask you, do you speak fluent English with other Heads of Countries, shame on you, better do the farming with Amudey, you deserve that, not private security and expensive vehicles with the tax payers money.
Roshan Anthony Thursday, 18 June 2020 05:52 PM
Shut up .You ruined the country big time and a big time lire. May curse befall on you..
Roshan Anthony Thursday, 18 June 2020 05:53 PM
Shut up .You ruined the country big time and a big time lire. May curse befall on you..
Eddie Thursday, 18 June 2020 06:10 PM
This imbecile is a disgrace to the whole human society. He will perish with his guilty mind. To escape his accountability, he is now supporting SLPP, Likewise the leader of UNP. Be doubly careful not to vote for these skunks and their followers.
James Augustine Thursday, 18 June 2020 06:11 PM
IO, Appa Sirisena, listen the people are not fools to listen to your jabbering. You are responsible for the Easter Attacks. You will reap the punishment from God for lying.
Jal Perera Thursday, 18 June 2020 06:13 PM
According to Cardinal, you are the main man, knowing that the Attack will occur and you never bothered, don't conn Sirisena.
K. Kamal Ranasinghe Thursday, 18 June 2020 06:15 PM
You knew everything Sirisena - the whole world knows that you are not capable to be a President, you are just a rotten dead vegetable, just a weight for this earth.
Shown Thursday, 18 June 2020 09:58 PM
It is fault of people of the country, whom is not even fit to be gate keeper, elevated to presidency, who knows nothing of the responsibility of the position, it is not only the bomb blast, if not unlimited patience of his eminence cardinal,you could see heaps of dead bodies around their mosques, and around whole country due to chain reaction, we think you won't even think about it,this misguided religious fanatics still active but fortunately its current president's responsibility to ensure safety of all the communities,who are living in doubt and fear
Uali Thursday, 18 June 2020 10:15 PM
I doubt whether you have right, not to accommodate PM,security minister or other people who should have to be there but you detest their presence,but you did it, means, you have got security of the country to your shoulders only, npe you can't say why I responsible? You need to be sued
rew Friday, 19 June 2020 09:45 AM
Snakes always slide away. We have some classic examples among our rulers - Sirisena and Ranil are two such examples.
G. Jeganathan Friday, 19 June 2020 10:51 AM
Doesn't he sound a fit choice to succeed Donald Trump? We Sri Lankan are willing to spare him.
G.Jeganathan Friday, 19 June 2020 11:05 AM
See, he never says "No" to the question whether he was aware of an imminent attack. He couldn't say "No". He only asks the interviewer, "If I was aware, would I have let it happen? What kind of question is that?" A typical answer from a crook to a straight question.
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