No proper analysis conducted on National Security prior to attacks: Ranil

14 October 2020 04:32 pm - 8 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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No appropriate analysis was conducted over the threats related to National Security at the time of Easter Sunday coordinated terror attacks, former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday told the PCoI probing Easter Sunday attacks.

Testifying before the Commission, former Premier admitted that the security situation in the country was deteriorating at the time of the Easter Sunday terror attacks on April 21, 2019.

Responding to a question raised by the representative from the Attorney General's (AG) Department, Mr. Wickremesinghe said that Muslim ministers who served at the previous government had informed about the extremist activities occurred in the Eastern Province.

"After gunshots fired at former Minister Kabir Hashim's Coordinating Secretary Mohammed Naslim in March 2019 and several other incidents, the Muslim ministers started focusing their attention to Islamic extremist practices in the country," he said.

During the testimony, former Premier informed that Muslim ministers and the their political parties were well aware about the situation in the Eastern Province and they alerted the government on extremists' activities.

The AG's Department official also questioned the witness on receiving a CD which contained a speech delivered by Zahran Hashim to former Premier's spouse Prof. Maithree Wickremesinghe in February, 2018.

"Yes, she had received a CD which had Zahran Hashim's speech and we gave it to former Minister Rauff Hakeem, who explained to us what was in the CD. By that time only we knew who Zahran Hashim was, but couldn't trace his whereabouts," he said.

The Former Prime Minister further added that if he had received the confirmed foreign intelligence alert with regards to the possible terror attack early, he would have called Cabinet ministers, former IGP and the Intelligence unit to act on the intelligence alert swiftly in order to prevent the attack. But it has been received on April 20, 2019.

He also added that he would have called the Indian High Commissioner to verify the facts mentioned in the said foreign intelligence report. (Yoshitha Perera)

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Comments - 8

Neville Gunasekara Wednesday, 14 October 2020 05:54 PM

You were the Prime Minister at that time.Shame on you.

BigEars Wednesday, 14 October 2020 05:54 PM

Is this the man who was the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka for 4 1/2 years? What guts he had to contest the last election as a Prime Ministerial candidate of the UNP. Luckily the votes rejected the fellow wholesale.

Dhammika Perera Wednesday, 14 October 2020 11:46 PM

Prime Minister of Sri Lanka for that 4 1/2 years was not the minister of Defense and national Security. It was totally under then Presidant Maithripala Sirisena. Dhammika

Demuni Uduwara Thursday, 15 October 2020 12:37 AM

One day anyone who uttered against Ranil Wickramasingha will have to repent. He had not been co-operated by Mythri during the previous govt.

Gagan Thursday, 15 October 2020 05:00 AM

You were the PM, It’s absolutely discussing to read that you all couldn’t find Zaharan’s were about? You’re not even Fitt to be Head of a company leave alone been country PM.

laljee Thursday, 15 October 2020 05:43 AM

This man should take the full responsibility and send to jail.

Odin Thursday, 15 October 2020 06:00 AM

So who is responsible; the dhobi?

Waco Thursday, 15 October 2020 06:04 AM

Spent a luxurious life on Tax -Payers. account. Not only that they say this man rob the Central Bank as well.

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No proper analysis conducted on National Security prior to attacks: Ranil

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