Mujibur urges President to hand over Easter investigations to international sleuths

Saturday, 9 September 2023 00:52 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

SJB Deputy General Secretary Mujibur Rahuman

Says failure to conduct probe will only benefit Azad Maulana
Highlights similarities between the info disclosed by Harin Fernando and Azad Maulana’s account
Claims investigations to date have attempted to frame those not involved in the attack

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Deputy General Secretary Mujibur Rahuman yesterday addressing a press conference urged President Ranil Wickremesinghe to hand over investigations into the Easter Sunday attack to an international team of investigators.

He noted if the Government fails to conduct a proper investigation into the Channel 4 expose it would only further benefit whistleblower Azad Maulana.

Rahuman also pointed out the similarities between the information Minister Harin Fernando disclosed in Parliament and Azad Maulana’s account, highlighting that even though Harin Fernando is associated with the Government, they were unable to apprehend the mastermind behind the Easter bombings.

The politician noted that the reasons behind certain perplexing incidents such as the arrest of DIG Nalaka Silva who attempted to arrest Zahran Hashim are yet to be known. “During the entire duration leading up to the attack, DIG Nalaka Silva was in remand custody, and the investigations have since not yielded satisfactory conclusions,” he said.

Rahuman also raised various other concerns on the investigation conducted including the mysterious disappearance of Sarah Jasmin, the failure to investigate SSP Shani Abeysekara’s revelations on the attack submitted via a deposition, and the person identified as ‘Sonic’. “Investigations have completely stalled as a result of it,” he said. “The investigations attempted to frame those who had no links to the attack,” he added.

Mujibur called for fresh and independent investigations into the attack with the participation of the original investigators who were allegedly removed from the case by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

“We do not claim that Azath Mawlana’s claims are entirely true. But they seem to have a connection with facts not investigated,” he said.

He called upon the President to break his silence and transfer the investigations to an international investigative team. “If there are any obstacles to this, please disclose the reasons,” he urged.