Easter Sunday Commission Fmr. CID Director Shani Abeysekara testifies before PCoI

• This is the second time the Commission had issued notices on him

By Yoshitha Perera 

Former Director of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Shani Abeysekara who is currently on remand custody yesterday testified before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) probing Easter Sunday attacks. 

Testifying before the Commission former CID Director Abeysekara said that the PCoI had first issued notices to appear before the Commission on November 23, 2020 and later officials attached to the Commission asked him not to come. 

Mr. Abeysekara said that this was the second time the Commission had issued notices on him for the testimony.  Former CID Director was at the Mahara Prison last year and last November after reporting that he had contracted with COVID-19 virus the Prison authorities transferred him to the IDH Hospital. 

Currently, Mr. Abeysekara is at the Colombo National Hospital to get treatment for heart failure. 

Meanwhile, Counsel Upul Kumarapperuma appearing on behalf of former CID Director informed the Commission that his client had received all the documents pertaining to the testimony yesterday afternoon. 

He requested the Commission to provide some time to get ready for the testimony. However, Commissioners said that they would provide time for the witness to prepare if it is necessary. 

• Former CID Director was at the Mahara Prison last year and last November after reporting that he had contracted with COVID-19 virus the Prison authorities transferred him to the IDH Hospital