Easter Sunday attack - PSC overlooks holding Govt. responsible: JVP

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) said yesterday the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) appointed to probe the Easter Sunday attacks has overlooked to mention in its report the failure of the government to prevent the attack.

Party propaganda secretary Vijitha Herath told a news conference that the report had categorically mentioned the names of those responsible for the attack such as the President, the Prime Minister, State Minister of Defense, Defense Secretary, IGP and the SIS, which could be considered as the government as a whole.

However, he said the report had overlooked to add a line saying that the government should be held responsible and added that it was a serious shortcoming in the report.

Mr. Herath said even the recommendations proposed by the report suggest the failure of the government adding that they rejected the objections raised by the opposition that the report was not impartial because the proceedings were open to media and were transparent.

“The PSC was helpful in unfolding the true aspects of the attack and causes that led to the attack,” he said.

Referring to the vote on account passed in parliament recently, Mr. Herath said it was regrettable that both parties had agreed to allocate Rs.2,400 million to maintain the president only for four months.

“It is a waste of public funds to allocate Rs.20 million just for a day. A common man will not get a chance to spend such a huge amount of money during his lifetime,” he said.

Mr. Herath said the Cabinet had also approved another package for the President to be used after his retirement including his official residence at Mahagama Sekara Mawatha and added that the perks and privileges to be given to the president is against the Supreme Court verdict in 2007 which defined the facilities entitled by a president after retirement. (Ajith Siriwardana)