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Some ministers, MPs wanted to hide info: Ex-DIG

15 July 2020 09:02 am - 8     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Some MPs and ministers had instructed their security officers not to reveal that they had been informed about a possible terror attack by a group connected to National Thawheed Jamaat (NTJ), retired DIG Lucien Priyalal yesterday informed the PCoI on the Easter Sunday attacks.

He also informed the PCoI that when he was serving as the DIG at the Special Protection Range (SPR) that IGP Pujith Jayasundara had sent him a letter warning him about a possible terror attack.

“On April 10, 2019, the IGP, who is currently on compulsory leave sent me a copy of the letter he had received from the then National Intelligence (CNI) Chief Sisira Mendis,” the witness said.

Witness said the letter mentioned that there could be a possible terror attack carried out by a group associated with NTJ leader Zahran Hashim, targeting well-known Catholic Churches and the Indian High Commission. “The letter also mentioned of four potential ways of conducting the attack and the names of the six suspects involved,” the witness said.

Retired DIG Priyalal said after receiving the warning letter he had prepared another letter including necessary security instructions and sent it to the five directors attached to his division.

He said during that particular period Ministerial Security Division (MSD), the Judicial Security Division (JSD), the Diplomatic Security Division (DSD), the Security Divisions of former Presidents Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and Mahinda Rajapaksa were under his supervision.

“The directors of the five divisions were instructed to warn the security officers under them about the possible attack and to strengthen the VIPs security,” the witness said and added that former MP Harin Fernando's father may have come to know about the possible attack from the information sent to his security officials.

The commissioners then questioned the witness about the warning letter and the measures taken to strengthen the security of the Indian High Commission. The witness informed the PCoI that his division had deployed six additional police officers to the Indian High Commission.

They also questioned the witness on how the letter he sent to the directors of the divisions came to be circulated through the media. Witness responded that he was unaware of how it happened. (Yoshitha Perera)


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  Comments - 8

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  • Lal Wednesday, 15 July 2020 11:27 AM

    SORRY SIR, NOT SOME ALL OF THEM CULPRITS, THUGS AND CHEATERS PLEASE CHECK INDIVIDUAL FILE ALL POLITICIANS YOU WILL SEE NO END OF PAGES STILL SAME THING CONTINUING. EVERYONE CASES ARE HEARING AFTER MINIMUM EIGHT MONTHS ONLY. BY THE TIME FILES ARE MISSING OR POLITICIANS SICK THEN AGAIN HEARING DELAYS ONE YEAR LIKE THAT PASSING THE TIME. TKS

    ChanakaJ Wednesday, 15 July 2020 11:32 AM

    So government ministers KNEW about the potential BOMB ATTACK and SUSPECTS; and DID NOTHING, but TIGHTENED SECURITY for INDIAN HIGH COMMISSION!

    Don Juwan Wednesday, 15 July 2020 11:38 AM

    Keep investigations live until August.

    Alex Wednesday, 15 July 2020 02:02 PM

    Hiiiiii.... This is an inquiry, no point in you saying "some" and creating bigger issues (unless that's what's wanted), if you know them, name them, otherwise this whole evidence hearing becomes a speculation.... A total eyewash!!!

    Dee Wednesday, 15 July 2020 02:27 PM

    I'll bet my life that this 'investigation' will go on only till the elections!

    Care Wednesday, 15 July 2020 03:55 PM

    Letters ..letters..letters...that's it! If the Americans sent only letters Osama will be still in Pakistan, have to take action..letters not enough.

    Hamid Wednesday, 15 July 2020 06:31 PM

    How he is saying 'some MPs

    Sambo Thursday, 16 July 2020 08:25 AM

    Thr most failed president in our history MS did not care about security or public safety. He should be held responsible together with the PM. They should be relieved of all entitlements and facilities that they enjoy now on the expense of the public. They have no shame.


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