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Opposition claims govt. afraid of instituting criminal proceedings against DIG Nilantha Jayawardena
By Saman Indrajith
The government was afraid of instituting criminal proceedings against former SIS Chief Senior DIG Nilantha Jayawardena, for such action would inevitably cause the masterminds behind the carnage to be exposed.
Chief Opposition Whip Kandy District MP Lakshman Kiriella said that if criminal proceedings were instituted, many of those who had blood on their hands would be exposed. The PCoI has said Nilantha Jayawardena was the first to receive a warning of the impending attacks from foreign intelligence agency via WhatsApp. It was later found that he had deleted the messages.
Kiriella said so after SJB Puttalam District MP Hector Appuhamy protested against the government’s failure to respond to his demand that the Minister of Public Security inform the House of the police officers against whom criminal proceedings had been recommended by the PCoI. Appuhamy said that he had raised that question many months back and it appeared for the third time in the Order Paper for yesterday’s proceedings. The response to the question was read out to the House by Leader of the House Education Minister Susil Premajayantha.
Instead of Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles, Susil Premajayantha responded that no police officer had been indicted as per the recommendations of the PCoI and as such consequential questions did not arise. Appuhamy protested that he could not raise supplementary questions as the subject Minister was not present to respond and it was unfair by the victims and amounted to a breach of his privilege as an MP.
Minister Premajayantha said Minister Alles would come to Parliament within the day and respond to supplementary questions of the MP.
Later, Minister Alles, addressing the House said that MP Appuhamy in his questions, had sought to know the names of police officers who had been indicted for the Easter Sunday attacks. “No police officer has been served with indictments in this connection. The PCoI has not indicted any police officer. The Commission has referred the matter to the Attorney General to study and decide what legal action should be taken. The report does not name officers. Until that our Ministry cannot give out names. It is wrong. After the Attorney General serves them indictments, I would be in a position to give names.
Chief Opposition Whip Kiriella said that the answer given by the Minister was wrong. We have perused the available PCoI reports. They specifically mention the name of DIG Jayawardena and it recommends that criminal proceedings should be instituted against him. The government is scared of implementing that recommendation.
State Minister of Indigenous Medicine, Rural and Ayurveda Hospital Development and Community Health Sisira Jayakody: The Easter Sunday terror attacks took place under your government.
Minister Alles challenged the Opposition to mention the number of the page where action had been recommended against DIG Jayawardena.
MP Appuhamy said that on page number 320 of the report the PCoI calls for action against Jayawardena. If you take action against Jayawardena, as recommended by the Committee, the truth will come to light.
Minister Alles: That is his wishful thinking. We are accused of not taking legal action against Jayawardena. There was a case against him and the judgment was given that he should pay 75 million rupees as compensation. If he had names of those responsible, he could have divulged those names there and get out of the fine to save his money.
Chief Opposition Whip Kiriella: That was a civil case. It was not a criminal case. Compensation was ordered as a part of the verdict of the civil case. We know that his fine was paid by those in the government side because many of those in the government and Opposition ranks would have ended up in jails if Jayawardena opened his mouth. The PCoI recommends instituting criminal proceedings.
Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi departed today (06) from Air Force Base Anuradhapura concluding his State visit to Sri Lanka. The Indian Premier embarked on a tour to Sri Lanka at the invitation from President Anura Kumara Disanayake.
This visit underscores the enduring relationship encapsulated by the theme “Friendship of Centuries, Commitment to a Prosperous Future,” further solidifying the bonds between India and Sri Lanka.
This marks Prime Minister Modi’s fourth visit to Sri Lanka, which has further enhanced the economic, cultural, and historical relations between the two nations, while also reinforcing their multifaceted partnership. This visit by the Indian Prime Minister reinforces Sri Lanka’s important role in India’s “Neighbourhood First Policy” and ‘MAHASAGAR’ vision concerning diplomatic relations.
This state visit is anticipated to yield significant results on various collaborative initiatives, fostering a path towards mutual growth and development. The citizens of Sri Lanka will soon be able to witness the fruitful outcomes of these partnerships, and Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s visit will mark a significant milestone in the government’s pursuit of sustainable development focused on the needs of the people.
Accompanying Indian Prime Minister Modi were Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and a delegation of senior officials from the Indian government.
[PMD]
Latest News
President Dissanayake and Indian PM Modi jointly commission upgraded Maho-Omanthai railway line & Maho-Anuradhapura railway signalling system
The upgraded Maho–Omanthai railway line and the newly installed Maho–Anuradhapura railway signalling system were officially commissioned by Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and President Anura Kumara Disanayake today (06)
The Prime Minister of India is currently visiting Sri Lanka at the invitation of President Anura Kumara Disanayake, reinforcing the longstanding bond encapsulated in the theme “Friendship of Centuries Commitment to a Prosperous Future” between the two nations.
Highlighting one of the key aspects of this visit, the two leaders participated in these inaugural ceremonies. The President and the Prime Minister of India jointly unveiled the commemorative plaque and commissioned the railway line and signalling system.
The upgraded Maho-Omanthai Railway Line project was carried out with funding through the Indian Credit Line, totalling an investment of US$ 91.27 million. The Maho–Anuradhapura railway signalling system, established as a result of President Disanayake’s recent visit to India, was funded by the Indian Government at a cost of USD 14.89 million.
[PMD]
Latest News
Prime Minister Modi and President Dissanayake pay homage to the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi
Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, currently on a State visit to Sri Lanka, along with President Anura Kumara Disanayake paid homage to the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura this morning (06) and received blessings.
Following his visit to the sacred site, Prime Minister Modi proceeded to the Udamaluwa, where he met with the Chief Incumbent of the Atamasthanadhipathi and Chief Sanghanayake of Nuwarakalaviya, Most Venerable Dr. Pallegama Hemarathana Nayaka Thera, for a cordial discussion.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister shared that relics of the Buddha were discovered in excavations conducted in his home state of Gujarat during the 1960s. He further stated that he would discuss with the President of Sri Lanka the possibility of exhibiting these sacred relics in Sri Lanka.
Responding to a request made by the Atamasthanadhipathi to develop Bodh Gaya as a spiritual city, Prime Minister Modi assured that he would take the necessary steps after discussions with President Disanayake and work towards making it a reality.
The Maha Sangha, led by the Atamasthanadhipathi, chanted Seth Pirith and invoked blessings on the Indian Prime Minister.
The Indian Prime Minister also left a commemorative note in the special guest book at the site. In addition, he formally declared open the newly constructed ‘Makara Thorana’ within the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi premises.
The occasion was also attended by Chief Incumbent of the Ruwanweli Maha Seya Temple Ven. Ethalawetunawewe Gnanathilaka Thera and other Atamasthana Viharadhipathi Theras, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath, Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, Wasantha Samarasinghe, Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, North Central Province Governor Wasantha Jinadasa, Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha and others.
[PMD]
Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi concludes State Visit to Sri Lanka
President Dissanayake and Indian PM Modi jointly commission upgraded Maho-Omanthai railway line & Maho-Anuradhapura railway signalling system
Prime Minister Modi and President Dissanayake pay homage to the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi
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