PCoI on Easter Sunday Attacks: Probes led by IP Nishantha Silva received support from LTTE-linked NGOs: Fmr. President Sirisena

By Yoshitha Perera   

Non- Governmental Organisations (NGOs) linked to the LTTE  assisted the investigations conducted by former CID IP Nishantha Silva,  who fled the country last year, former President Maithripala Sirisena informed the PCoI probing Easter Sunday attacks.   

Testifying before the Commission on Wednesday, the former President said  that several Buddhist monks, military and intelligence officers had complained against IP Nishantha Silva’s investigations.   
“As the President, I had to decide whether I’m allowing IP  Silva to carry out those investigations. Most of the people complained that  the investigations led by him were biased,” he said.   

The former President made the above statement while  responding to a question raised by the representative of the Attorney  General’s (AG) department whether the witness had instructed the former IGP  to transfer IP Silva at a NSC meeting.   

The witness further added that former IGP Jayasundara had  sent a letter to the National Police Commission regarding the transfer of  IP Silva indicating facts presented at the NSC and it was a serious  mistake done by a responsible higher official.   

“This was also one of the reasons for not inviting the IGP to NSC meetings,” he said.   
Meanwhile, the Commission again questioned the witness  why he had re- appointed IP Silva to the CID after transferring him to  Negombo Police division.   
The former President said that  former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, various other ministers and  several NGOs had strongly objected to the transfer of IP  Silva to Negombo Police division and he was recalled to the CID due  to those issues.