News
Pujith: Sirisena interfered with police transfers
By Rathindra Kuruwita
Former President Maithripala Sirisena had interfered with transferring of senior police officers from 2018 although an independent Police Commission was established, through the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, former IGP Pujith Jayasundara yesterday informed Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) investigating the Easter Sunday attacks.
Jayasundara said that towards the latter part of the previous government, there had been confusion in many spheres, and that had prevented them from taking key decisions on national security.
The ex-IGP said that he had been asked not to attend the National Security Council (NSC) meetings in October 2018 and that led to serious issues.
“I was aware that an NSC meeting was to be held on October 23, 2018. Usually, I was informed of such events or on the same morning. I didn’t get a call and I called former Defence Secretary Kapila Waidyaratne to ask whether there was an NSC meeting scheduled for that day. He said President Sirisena had asked him not to invite me. That was very upsetting,”
Jayasundara said he had been invited to the NSC meeting on November 03, 2018 and on that day Sirisena had asked him to transfer former CID Inspector Nishantha Silva because he was handling a case against then Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Ravindra Wijegunaratne and some Army officers.
President Sirisena had asked him to transfer Silva from the CID, but realising that it would lead to an uproar, he had attempted to dissuade Sirisena. He said he had informed Sirisena that former IP Nishantha Silva had faced no prior disciplinary action.
“The President agreed but he didn’t change his mind. Then, he left the country and a few days later former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando called me and said that President Sirisena wanted me remove former IP Nishantha Silva immediately. I then transferred Silva to the Negombo Police station. I also submitted a report to the Police Commission informing that the decision had been at an NSC meeting.”
Jayasundara said Sirisena had asked him after returning from overseas who had ordered the transfer of IP Silva to the Negombo police station. He said he had told the President: “Sir, it was you who instructed me. He got very annoyed and said he had never such an order and disconnected the line.”
The Commissioners asked Jayasundara whether his absence from the NSC had had any impact on national security. Jayasundara said he had not been informed of what transpired at the NSC and that the fact that another senior officer of the Police was invited to the NSC had upset him.
Jayasundara said that the conflict between President Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had become a serious concern and that when both of them gave contradictory orders, he had chosen to follow presidential directives.
Eksath Janaraja Peramuna (EJP) yesterday complained to the Election Commission (EC) regarding President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s recent threat that the government would release funds only to local government bodies to be won by a clean party at the May 06 LG polls.
The EJP, led by former Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka, complained that President Dissanayake has claimed during a public rally at Weligama that the NPP was the only clean party.
The EJP is contesting 37 LG bodies at the forthcoming election.
The new party said that the rights of the other contesting political parties and groups had been violated by the President.
The EJP asked the EC to ensure a level playing field
Having handed over their complaint, EJP spokesman Theekshana Gammanpila told the media outside the EC office that Anura Kumara Dissanayake had won last year’s presidential election and then the parliamentary election as the then government ensured a free and fair election. But now President Dissanayake was making a despicable attempt to influence the electorate in the run-up to the vital mini polls. Gammanpila alleged that the President’s intervention could have a far reaching impact on the electorate.
The EJP spokesman emphasised the responsibility on the part of the EC to intervene and take tangible measures to prevent President Dissanayake from manipulating the electorate to their advantage. (SF)
Former North Central Province Chief Minister S. M. Ranjith and his private secretary Shanthi, who is his brother, former Minister S.M. Chandrasena’s wife, were yesterday (02) sentenced to 16 years rigorous imprisonment after being found guilty of corruption charges. They were also ordered to pay a fine of Rs. 200,000 each.
The judgment was delivered by Colombo High Court Judge Aditya Patabendi.
They were convicted on charges filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption.
S.M. Ranjith was found guilty of enabling Shanti to secure an additional fuel allowance between Sept 2012 and Dec 2014 to the tune of Rs 2.68 mn.
The Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka hosted a concert of Japanese traditional music by the Honganji Temple & Foundation Japanese Orchestra featuring the performers of NYSC on 28th March in honour of the visit of Most. Ven. Ohtani Chohjun Nayaka Hamuduruwo, the 25th Head Priest of Higashi Hongan-ji Grand Temple.
The event featured a Japanese tea ceremony and breathtaking musical performances by the Honganji Temple & Foundation Japanese Orchestra, showcasing traditional Japanese instruments such as the Koto and Shamisen. The evening was further enriched by violin and vibrant dance performances by students from the National Youth Council (NYSC) and Lanka Nippon Biztech Institute (LNBTI).
This cultural celebration further strengthened the deep ties between Japan and Sri Lanka, offering a unique experience of Japanese tradition and heritage.
Israel’s Netanyahu heads to Hungary in defiance of ICC arrest warrant
Myanmar military announces temporary truce as quake death toll passes 3,000
Fairly heavy rainfall of above 75 mm are likely at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Central, North-western Uva and North-central provinces
-
Sports4 days agoSri Lanka’s eternal search for the elusive all-rounder
-
News3 days agoBid to include genocide allegation against Sri Lanka in Canada’s school curriculum thwarted
-
News5 days agoGnanasara Thera urged to reveal masterminds behind Easter Sunday terror attacks
-
Business6 days agoAIA Higher Education Scholarships Programme celebrating 30-year journey
-
News4 days agoComBank crowned Global Finance Best SME Bank in Sri Lanka for 3rd successive year
-
Features4 days agoSanctions by The Unpunished
-
Sports10 hours agoTo play or not to play is Richmond’s decision
-
Features4 days agoMore parliamentary giants I was privileged to know