Zahran was not in Katankudi when I took over in 2017: OIC

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana   

The Katankudi Police OIC  Nishantha Kathuriarachchi yesterday said Katankudi was very peaceful and calm when I took over 

Chairman  Kumarasiri- Were there any complaints about any extremist group after you took over ?
Not after I took over. However, there have been issues every Friday before I took over.   
Chairman - Who was leading extremist group?
Zahran. Thirteen others were arrested but Zahran, Rilwan and Army Mohideen had fled at that time when I took over. 

However I was told that some incidents had taken place before my tenure as the OIC.  Zahran, Rilwan and Army Mohideen were out of Katankudi at the time I took over.  
 Following are excepts of the questions that were put to the OIC 
Chairman Kumarasiri - What was the situation in Katankudi when you took over in 2017?
   The Katankudi Police OIC  Nishantha Kathuriarachchi yesterday said Katankudi was very peaceful and calm.
Chairman - Were there any complaints about any extremist group after you took over ?
Not after I took over. However, there have been issues every Friday before I took over.   
Chairman - Who was leading extremist group?
Zahran. Thirteen others were arrested but Zahran, Rilwan and Army Mohideen had fled at that time when I took over. 
Minister Senaratne -What happened with Zahran and the lot?
They had fled the areas when warrants were issued.   
Minister Senaratne – There are other police stations in the country did you not get information from them. 
I did what I could within my limits.   
Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka – Was Zahran or others active during your tenure ? They had fled by then. Others were kept on reporting to police station every month. 
Field Marshal Fonseka –You did not monitor them though they were asked to report to the police ? Isn’t there a serious lapse ? 
We were on the look out but nothing was reported   
MP Nalinda Jayatissa -Were you aware of the incident on April 16, 2019 in Kattankudi ?
Yes, I went there as soon as I was told about the incident. One bike was blown up. We found out that the two motor bikes have been purchased from Kelaniya by Zahran’s group.  
MP M. A Sumanthiran - Did Zahran own vans ?
No. they used to rent vehicles.   
Jayampathi Wickramaratne – Were you warned of the April 21, 2019 attack? 
No. I was not informed   
Dr. Wickramaratne -You were not informed even though you were in charge of the area where Zahran had his base?
That’s correct   
Dr Wickramaratne – Did Kattankudi people defying the law which is common to any area. Were there any one who rode motor bikes without helmet? 
Yes, the youth in the area did defy the law with regard to helmet. I explained to them about the law. They started wearing helmets thereafter.   

MP Rauff Hakeem – did anyone conduct any investigation on Zahran in  Kattankudi? 
Intelligence units did that on their own.   
MP Jayatissa – Some who testified in this committee before said they complained with the police on Zahran’s activities ?
They discussed with me but did not make any complaint officially