Sunday Nov 24, 2024
Sunday Nov 24, 2024
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Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Vijitha Herath
The Government yesterday vehemently refused the committee reports on Easter Sunday attacks released by former MP Udaya Gammanpila earlier this week.
Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Vijitha Herath, addressing the media yesterday stressed that these reports, which Gammanpila claims implicate high-ranking officials, were produced with a political agenda and lack the official authority of a Presidential Commission.
Speaking at the weekly post-Cabinet meeting media briefing, he clarified that the Government is already conducting a probe into the attacks, with plans to take action through a Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI).
“The decision will be made once the current investigations are concluded,” Herath added.
The Cabinet Spokesman also highlighted that neither the Supreme Court nor the previous PCoI found former senior Police officials Ravi Seneviratne and Shani Abeysekera guilty of any wrongdoing in connection to the attacks. Instead, the 2019 PCoI had identified other high-profile figures, including former President Maithripala Sirisena and former Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police Nilantha Jayawardena for failing to act on intelligence that could have prevented the terror attacks.
“Both were only ordered to pay compensation to the victims,” he pointed out.
Herath dismissed the reports disclosed by Gammanpila as unofficial documents produced by two committees personally appointed by then-President Ranil Wickremesinghe, following the release of a controversial Channel 4 documentary on the Easter attacks.
These committees were tasked with investigating Police handling of explosives discovered in Vavunativu before the Easter attacks and allegations raised by the Channel 4 video.
According to Herath, the reports produced by these committees were handed to Wickremesinghe shortly before the 2024 Presidential Election, suggesting a political motive behind their timing.
“It is evident that this was a political stunt orchestrated by Ranil Wickremesinghe and Sagala Ratnayake ahead of the election,” he stressed.
Herath questioned the credibility of one of the committees, headed by A.N.J. de Alwis, who had faced allegations of misconduct during her tenure, casting doubt on her suitability to lead a probe into such a serious incident.
Responding to questions about Gammanpila’s claims that the unpublished reports recommended legal action against Seneviratne and Abeysekara, the Cabinet Spokesman categorically denied that the Government would act on such baseless findings. Both officials, who were senior figures in the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) during the Easter attacks, have been cleared by both the Supreme Court and the PCoI.
Herath reaffirmed that the Government has no plans to remove them from their current posts. “Those who are vying to remove the two officials are doing it with vested interests and that the Government will not succumb to such attempts,” he said, adding that the Government will not hesitate to take action against any officials if found guilty following a proper investigation.
However, the Minister was quick to assure that the Government remains committed to its ongoing investigation into the Easter Attacks.
The Government will conduct a new probe and ensure that justice is served for the victims,” he stated, adding that any official found guilty would face legal action and steps would be taken to strengthen the country’s legal framework in the wake of the tragedy.
