Mahinda faults Govt. for security lapses

• Says Govt. has undermined intelligence and disregarded threats to national security 
• Even security of Opposition politicians were aware of possible dangers 
• Govt. should have released information to public and beefed up security 
• Argues attacks would not have happened if he remained PM

By Nuwan Senarathna 

Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday faulted the Government for what he termed as negligent handling of vital intelligence by the Government, which he insisted could have saved lives if the public had been made aware of the threats. 

Rajapaksa, speaking at a press briefing held at the Opposition Leader’s office in Colombo, said the Government could have provided information to the public to take necessary action to protect themselves and tightened security without causing panic. He emphasised such steps would have saved lives and reduced the death toll, which reached 290 on Monday.   

He charged the Government should take responsibility for failing to prevent the multiple attacks since prior intelligence had been conveyed to local intelligence officials but due notice had not been taken by top Government members.  

Referring to comments made by Government ministers and parliamentarians, Rajapaksa sought to defend intelligence officials, insisting that they had done their duty by gathering information and submitting it to top officials.  

“This Government has not supported our intelligence units. They have been persecuted and discouraged. Some have even been sent to prison. But they still did their duty. They have done the part even though they have had to face great difficulties under this Government,” he said.

Rajapaksa questioned how the Government could have been unaware of the impending attacks when even his Personal Security Division had been notified. When questioned as to why he did not then take steps to push for more information to be released to the public, Rajapaksa deflected the inquiry saying that he was not updated by his security. 

“I was not told of this by my security and I cannot be expected to move around the country and go to churches to inform people. But if security of even Opposition parliamentarians knew something was up, then I don’t see how the Government could not have known. Specific reasons for tightening security were not given to us.” 

Rajapaksa stated the attack showed the loopholes that had emerged in national security over the past few years. 

“We have been saying there was a threat to national security for months but the Government refused to admit that. Instead of taking action they just criticised us and ignored the threat,” he charged.

Rajapaksa also claimed the Government had prevented Police and law enforcement agencies from taking action based on information provided by intelligence units. However, he did not explain how the Government prevented police or any other law enforcement agency from performing their duties.

According to Rajapaksa, the lack of coordination among the law enforcement forces and high-ranking Government officials had been the reason for Sunday’s attacks. “During our time the Security Council met every week. Before that the Defence Secretary met all intelligence units and gathered information to brief during the Security Council meeting,” he added.  

He also said this was not the time to point fingers at any particular religion or ethnic community over the attacks and called on the public to be vigilant of false news and be calm. He also contended that if he had remained as Prime Minister, there would have been better intelligence and Sunday’s attacks would not have happened. However, he said that the Opposition would support the Government for the sake of the people.