News
Pujith now says he should have done more
By Rathindra Kuruwita
Former Commandant of the Police Special Task Force (STF), SDIG, M. R. Latheef was informed of the possibility of a terror attack, after he had received information from the SIS, both in writing and over the phone, former IGP Pujith Jayasundara, on Monday, told the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) investigating the Easter Sunday attacks.
Jayasundera said so when a Commissioner pointed out that SDIG Latheef had told the Commission that he had not been informed of a possible terrorist attack by the IGP over the phone.
“This is his opinion, but I informed him of it over the phone,” the witness said. Jayasundara added that Latheef was among the first officers he had conveyed the information about a possible terrorist attack to. Latheef had been informed because he as the STF Commandant was a capable officer with a wealth of experience, the former IGP said.
“I received the information from then SIS Director SDIG Nilantha Jayawardena on 9 April, 2019 and I forwarded it to four senior police officers on the same day. I, as the IGP, believed that they would take appropriate action,” the witness said.
Commissioners asked the witness why he had not given specific instructions to the Police officers. Jayasundara said those SDIGs had a lot of experience and expertise. Moreover, given the political climate at that time, there was nothing more he could do, the former IGP said.
However, given the turn of events, he now felt that he should have given specific instructions.
Jayasundara added that he had realised the seriousness of the information on a possible terrorist attack and conveyed it to officers under him on the same day he received it.
Officers had taken steps to inform security officers of VIPs and the Indian High Commission. Additional security officers had been detailed to protect the Indian High Commission since it had been mentioned as one of the targets of the bombers.
The Commissioners then asked the witness on why he had not informed the Senior DIG in charge of the Eastern Province of that information since Zahran Hashim, Rilwan Hashim, Army Mohideen and Milhan, whose names were mentioned in the intelligence information, were from the Eastern Province. Jayasundera said he had not done so.
“At that time it did not occur to me to inform SDIG – East of it. But now I think it would have been much better if he had been informed.”
The situation report issued by the Disaster Management Centre at 1800hrs today (5th December) confirms that 607 persons have died due to the adverse weather conditions while the number of missing persons has reduced to 214.
The number of persons affected topped the 2 million mark (2,082,195).
The Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) formally took delivery of the EX- United States Coast Guard Cutter, USCGC DECISIVE, provided by the United States to SLN, at a ceremony held at the United
States Coast Guard Yard in Baltimore on 02 Dec 25. The event was also attended by the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda.
The ship formally joined the SLN fleet on 02 December under the pennant number P 628 and the main mast of the ship will fly the National Flag effective from that date.
Aiming to strengthen and develop partnerships to overcome common challenges in the maritime domain, the U.S. Coast Guard has previously provided 03 ships to SLN and they are currently patrolling island waters under the names of ‘Samudura’ (P 621), ‘Gajabahu’(P 626), and ‘Vijayabahu’ (P 627).
As an extension of partnership ties that bring value to each other’s services, Ex-USCGC DECISIVE was transferred as the fourth ship to be handed to SLN.
Ex-USCGC DECISIVE, a ‘B-Type Reliance Class 210-foot Cutter’, measures 64m in length, and having endurance of 6000 NM at cruising speed. Further, she has been designed for a
crew of 100 and is equipped with weapons and machinery.
The ship which was used by the U.S. Coast Guard has rendered exceptional service during her tenure by curbing illegal activities, including smuggling of narcotics in U.S. waters.
Sri Lanka inherits an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) that is seven times larger than the landmass. In such a backdrop, the Navy is determined to deploy this vessel in wide-ranging
operations that include the conservation of marine resources in the region and the search and rescue of naval and fishing communities in distress. Thereby, the Navy will be able to utilize
this vessel efficiently in the future to achieve the national aspiration, while ensuring safe and secure seas for all economic affairs.
The formal handing over – taking over ceremony was also distinguished by the presence of the Deputy Chief Acquisition Officer and Director of Domain & Integration Services U.S. Coast
Guard, James L. Knight, Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for South and Southeast Asia, Dr. Andrew Byers, the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the United States, Mahinda Samarasinghe, Commanding Officer designate of P 628, Captain Gayan Wickramasuriya as well as a group of officials from the Embassy of Sri Lanka in United States and the State Department
of the United State
The situation report issued by the Disaster Management Center at 0600hrs today [5th December] confirms that 486 persons have died and another 341 persons are missing after the devastating weather conditions in the past week.
171,778 persons have been displaced and have taken refuge at 1,231 safety centers established by the government.
Death toll rises to 607, missing persons reduce to 214 at 1800hrs today (5)
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486 dead, 341 missing, 171,778 displaced as at 0600hrs today [05]
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