Easter Sunday bomb attacks: I was not aware of prior warnings: Prez

31 July 2019 05:55 am - 8 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday said the Easter Sunday bomb attacks could have been prevented had the officers attached to defence establishments informed him about the prior warnings they have received in early April.

President Sirisena said this during the National Conference on Peace, Harmony and Coexistence organised by Governor Western Province A.J. M. Muzammil last evening. “I was not aware of the prior warnings of the April 21st attacks but if the officers attached to defence establishments had informed me, I would have taken steps to prevent them.

Therefore the Easter Sunday attacks could not be avoided due to shortcomings of certain government officers,” the President said. “I was blamed for not doing anything to prevent the attack but the truth is that I was never aware of it,” he added.

“The Easter Sunday attacks have led to a fear psychosis among the communities in this country. Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims have begun to suspect each other.

Those who died in the Easter Sunday attacks are Sri Lankans. Also one should consider that Muslims also suffered as a result of the riots that broke out after the Easter Sunday attacks,” he also said. The President mentioned that some are trying to get mean advantage out of Easter Sunday happenings.

“It is necessary to keep politics aside and work together to bring back peace and harmony to Sri Lanka,” the President said in this regard. Secretary-General of the Muslim World League Dr. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdul Karim Alissa said that everyone has to understand that Sri Lanka is a Buddhist country. He said this reality should be understood through an exchange of love and respect.

“The world is in dire need of national intellectual awareness that leads to bolstering harmony and stability. This will give rise to the respect of constitutions, laws and cultures in countries where we live in addition to the respect of religious and cultural dominance that express the opinion of the majority and also considering their feelings,” he said. (Yohan Perera)

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 8

Anmanpan Wednesday, 31 July 2019 09:09 AM

Yes sir, it was not in the newspaper, you source of information .

Lokka Wednesday, 31 July 2019 09:17 AM

Only person who does not know this is a Buddhist country is Mangala Samaraweera

Jude Wednesday, 31 July 2019 09:20 AM

The government headed by him and he's the Defence minister !!! It's evident that gov't didn't and failed to act on intelligence reports!!! Thereby failed to protect the people!!!

Bandu Wednesday, 31 July 2019 10:40 AM

What a joke - where does the buck stop. Why did he not invite the main persons concerned to the NSC meetings instead of bookies.

Be Fair Wednesday, 31 July 2019 10:41 AM

I hope you are NOW aware that: # there was an attack in Sri Lanka on 21st April 2019, # It was carried out by terrorist # As the Defense Minister you should be responsible for it

BuffaloaCitizen Wednesday, 31 July 2019 10:51 AM

But even after hearing the first explosion, it took you two days to get back to the country. Your statement itself speaks a lot about your competency in that position.

Kadmin Wednesday, 31 July 2019 11:25 AM

He must have been waiting a text or message from Zaharan I guess.

Lost Lankan Wednesday, 31 July 2019 11:31 AM

sorry just woke up from long dream, can't remember any does he remember he is the current PREZ of this politically cursed country ?

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Easter Sunday bomb attacks: I was not aware of prior warnings: Prez

Comments - 8

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Western purple-faced langurs see blue!

Most Viewed in News

Complaint lodged over Piumi Hansamali's possession of Gota’s Range Rover

New Visa procedure implemented

A US “Kaputa”, a Lankan “Nariya” and a Presidential “Feast”

Former MP Palitha Thewarapperuma dies from electrocution

April 15 declared a government holiday

Street food vendor arrested for verbally harassing foreigner

MIRROR CRICKET

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings

Chamodi, Dewmi spins Sri Lanka U19 Women to big win

Amir, Wasim return to Pakistan national team

TODAY'S HEADLINES

100 Police personnel trained to target criminals operating on motorbikes

Catholic Church receives full report

Complaint lodged over Piumi Hansamali’s possession of Gota’s Range Rover

We are struggling with severe shortage of staff – Excise Chief

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings

Security raised for Champions League ties after threat

SLA target four events at Paris Olympic Games

Chamodi, Dewmi spins Sri Lanka U19 Women to big win