24 September 2020 12:00 am
By Yoshitha Perera
Former President Maithripala Sirisena instructed former IGP Pujith Jayasundara not to conduct an open inquiry on Islamic extremists and said that the State Intelligence Service (SIS) would monitor the matter, former IGP Pujith Jayasundara yesterday informed the PCoI probing the Easter Sunday attacks.
Mr. Jayasundara said that he got to know of the Islamic extremists threats to the country by late 2017 and he attempted to coordinate the matter with several institution under him while informing matters related to extremism to the political heads.
“There were several shortcomings on sending report of the Terrorist Investigation Division (TID), Special Branch and Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to intelligence Coordination Meetings. I told the defence secretaries to address this matter and take necessary measures,” he said.
Witness also added that he took former TID Director Nalaka Silva to meet the Prime Minister thrice and explained certain issues.
Mr. Jayasundara added that the former President told him that the issues related to Islamic extremism in the country was not in a bad condition and there could be issues raised by Muslim leaders and politicians, if government decided to take drastic steps against the matter.
He also added that after receiving confirmed intelligence regarding possible terror attacks, the officials could have taken certain action, but there was confusion among the government hierarchy.