Ex-President & PM should take sole responsibility for attacks: witness

10 July 2020 06:05 am - 21 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Former President Maithripala Sirisena and former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe have to take the sole responsibility over the Easter Sunday attacks, a senior military intelligence officer attached to the Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI) informed the PCoI probing Easter Sunday attacks yesterday.

The Commissioners then questioned the witness, who did not wish to have his name quoted in the media, how could he claim so if the main heads in the country were not informed about the attacks in advance.

Responding to the question, the witness said during that time there were several issues and rifts with regard to the main heads in the country and they were not interested about the national security.

"After the formation of the 52-day government, the clash between the former president and former prime minister intensified and this had a direct impact on the country's national security," the witness said.

The witness also said that it became an open secret that the National Security Council (NSC) would hold the meetings only when former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was not in the country.

"Even State Intelligence Service (SIS) Director Nilantha Jayawardena said that the defence secretary or political heads didn't care about intelligence shared during the meetings," the witness said.

It was also informed to the Commission that former President Maithripala Sirisena had separate NSC meetings at his Paget Road residence and through Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando he had informed IGP and former Prime Minister not to attend those meetings.

The witness also said that several attempts made by the CNI, DIG Sisira Mendis to meet former Defence Secretaries to meet Kapila Waidyaratne or Hemasiri Fernando to brief them of the threats posed by radicalism, failed as the defence secretaries were focused in different matters.

Witness informed the Commission that former CNI Sisira Mendis had a vast level of experience on investigations and he was always willing to listen to other officers attached to his institution.

"I suggested CNI needs to meet with defence secretaries at least once a week and we can make presentations. CNI took our request seriously and tried to meet the defence secretaries with the files we had prepared. But I think due to the workload, the defence secretaries didn't meet CNI," the witness said.

The witness said that he attended a number of weekly Intelligence Coordinating Meetings and that the issue of radicalism was raised during those meetings.

Providing further evidence the witness said that former Governor of the Western Province, Azath Salley and the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU) organisation expressed their dissatisfaction over the implementation of a systematic programme by former Chief of National Intelligence (CNI), Sisira Mendis to regulate foreign persons coming to Madrasa schools for teaching. (Yoshitha Perera)

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Comments - 21

Lawry Friday, 10 July 2020 06:25 AM

What is a systemic programme? Something to correct bad symptoms?

PADMA Friday, 10 July 2020 07:03 AM

you can give evidences .we will give verdict .as you say, ranil if wickramasinghe was not known any information why should be take responsibilities him

Sad Ralaharamy Friday, 10 July 2020 07:29 AM

Very valuable evidence throwing light on the gloomy side of history. This officer has touched on the very nerve of the tragedy and squarely fixed the onus of responsibility on the person. This man must be protected by society for his courageous stand for speaking the truth. His evidence should become part of our history.

rew Friday, 10 July 2020 07:39 AM

Old News

Shehan Friday, 10 July 2020 07:40 AM

Send this pair to the jail. Where is democracy?. Who is paying the sorrow and lost of loved one?. Our justice system designed for ordinary citizens only......what country we live?????

Kapila Senaratne Friday, 10 July 2020 08:08 AM

Absolutely no doubt whole nation will agree with the intelligence officer’s statement.

Paul Friday, 10 July 2020 08:23 AM

In this regard how many commissions have they been appointed and out of these commissions which one is valid?

Independent Friday, 10 July 2020 08:23 AM

It is clear that ISIS did not have any hand in Easter attack. Then who was the real mastermind? Did Chinese wanted to overthrow the then govt? Was it a covert operation of a spy agency? Did Sri Lankan intelligence had any hand? The whole drama is confusing.One thing for sure is that Gota together with intelligence formed Thawheed and BBS.

BuffaloaCitizen Friday, 10 July 2020 09:43 AM

The fact is this:(a) The PM

Gamarala Friday, 10 July 2020 09:57 AM

The blame of nurturing Islamic terrorism is passed on to the innocent Muslim community whilst the top leaders of the country closed their eyes letting these terrorists go create all the damage to the country. Same thing happened in 1983 for the LTTE to rise and 1989 for JVP to rise. We need to first take these leaders to task as a country.

Kandy Friday, 10 July 2020 09:58 AM

Well timed forwarding of SLPP backed witnesses to tarnish the image of the Ex Prez

Leo Friday, 10 July 2020 10:04 AM

Our pathetic then president

Dallas Friday, 10 July 2020 10:13 AM

Mentally retarded people like "Independent" who has commented above will make things worse.When all evidence

sunil Friday, 10 July 2020 11:29 AM

This witness has spoken the absolute truth.

Sambo Friday, 10 July 2020 11:38 AM

How correct. But do you think such politicians will be punished in Sri Lanka. One protects the others back. They talk heaven and earth but hide behind each other when it comes to the law. You may escape the punishment of the law but you cannot escape God.

Gimmicks Friday, 10 July 2020 11:45 AM

Congrats. MR can now be certain to get 2/3rd majority and U can be certain of a promotion.

Antony Jude Friday, 10 July 2020 06:22 PM

Not only Ex-president

MN Friday, 10 July 2020 07:33 PM

When the president orders,not to inform PM to come for NSC meetings, then the President should have to shoulder, PM's responsibility as well,due to this adamant action, he is not in a position to say' why I have to responsible '

Janaranjana Friday, 10 July 2020 07:58 PM

These leaders have Deals to escape punishment. See the outcome of Cases re Easter Suday disaster , The CB Bond Scam etc.

Janaranjana Friday, 10 July 2020 07:58 PM

These leaders have Deals to escape punishment. See the outcome of Cases re Easter Suday disaster , The CB Bond Scam etc.

Samson Friday, 10 July 2020 08:50 PM

Result of electing unsuitable people to office

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Ex-President & PM should take sole responsibility for attacks: witness

Comments - 21

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