News
PCoI summons ex-president Sirisena, three auxiliary bishops
By Rathindra Kuruwita
Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI), investigating the Easter Sunday attacks, ordered former President Maithripala Sirisena, his Private Secretary Sameera de Silva and three auxiliary Bishops of Colombo, Anton Ranjith Pillainayagam, Maxwell Silva and J D Anthony Jayakody, to appear before it today at 10.30 am.
The order was made by the PCoI after Attorney-at-Law Dilshan Jayasuriya appearing for ex-Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando, on Tuesday, alleged that former President Maithripala Sirisena had placed ex-Defence Secretary’s life at risk by issuing a media statement that the evidence given by the latter before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) investigating the Easter Sunday attacks was “malicious and fictitious”.
Sirisena, on Sunday, issued a press release claiming that the testimony given by Fernando at the PCoI about his conduct was completely false.
“I vehemently deny what was said at the Commission by Fernando. These are malicious and fictitious statements and I wish to reiterate to the public that Fernando’s statements are false.”
The three auxiliary Bishops have been summoned over a press release they issued on a statement given by MP Harin Fernando before the PCoI.
The Commissioners also ordered the three Bishops to appear in person or send a legal representation today at 2.00 PM regarding the issuance of a press statement on behalf of Archbishop of Colombo Malcom Cardinal Ranjith denying the evidence given by SJB MP and former Minister Fernando.
Following the conclusion of bilateral discussions between President Anura Kumara Disanayake and Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, official-level talks between the delegations of Sri Lanka and India commenced this morning (05) at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo.
Representing the Government of Sri Lanka were Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath; Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Anil Jayantha; Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake; Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, along with other senior officials.
The Indian delegation included Minister of External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and His Excellency Santosh Jha, High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, along with several other senior officials of the Government of India.
Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, who arrived in Sri Lanka on the invitation of President Anura Kumara Disanayake on Friday [04] night, visited the Presidential Secretariat this morning (05).
The Indian Prime Minister was warmly welcomed by President Anura Kumara Disanayake upon his arrival at the Presidential Secretariat.
Prime Minister Modi is currently on a state visit to Sri Lanka, reaffirming the theme “Friendship of Centuries — Commitment to a Prosperous Future” which symbolises the longstanding ties between Sri Lanka and India. The Indian Premier is scheduled to remain in the country until tomorrow (06).
[PMD]
The official welcoming ceremony for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was held this morning (05) at the Independence Square in Colombo.
On arrival at the Independence Square the Indian Prime Minister was warmly welcomed by President Anura Kumara Disanayake.
Discussions between Sri Lankan and Indian delegations at the presidential secretariat
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Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi arrives at the presidential secretariat
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