Easter Sunday probe:

Ranjan Senaratne Bandara, Officer-in-Charge of the ‘Q’ Division of the State Intelligence Service (SIS), has been arrested in connection with the ongoing investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks.

Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris, on Tuesday (15), sought a travel ban from the Fort Magistrate Court on the officer who had been responsible for handling the extremist desk.

When the matter was taken up, the prosecution was represented by ASG Peiris and DIG Shani Abeysekera The Defence team was led by President’s Counsel Shavindra Fernando.

The prosecution’s submissions centred principally on two matters, specifically hospitalisation of Major General Suresh Sallay and allegations regarding the Easter Sunday attacks.

The ASG criticised the Director of the National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL) for failing to submit within the stipulated time the medical report ordered by court. He requested that the Director be directed to appear before Court on the next date, together with the relevant medical report.

The ASG further alleged that certain doctors, including the Director of the NHSL, were conspiring to facilitate the continued hospitalisation of the suspect. He submitted that Major General Sallay was receiving food from home, having daily visits from family members and weekly visits from his lawyers, and effectively enjoying a “vacation” while in hospital. It was further argued that his continued hospitalisation was hampering the ongoing investigations.

The ASG also submitted that the hospitalisation had resulted from the suspect’s decision to fast, and that his subsequent cardiac condition had arisen as a consequence of that fasting. This assertion is factually incorrect, as the implantation of the ICD was entirely unrelated to his fasting and was necessitated by his underlying cardiac condition.

The Defence strongly objected to the suggestion that the Defence team had conspired with the Director and medical personnel to facilitate the suspect’s continued stay in hospital. The Defence also made it clear that it had no objection, whatsoever, to the medical report being submitted to Court in a timely manner.

Regarding the allegations concerning the Easter Sunday attacks, the ASG, thereafter, made a number of allegations concerning members of the Army, the Military Directorate, the Commanding Officer of 1 MIC, in Vavuniya, and personnel attached to the State Intelligence Service (SIS), alleging that they were connected to the conspiracy surrounding the Easter Sunday bombings. The ASG alleged that a section with the Military Intelligence had protected Zahran Hashim, who led the Easter Sunday suicide attacks.

The ASG also sought a court order imposing a travel ban on an SIS officer who had been responsible for handling the extremist desk. He further characterised these individuals as “henchmen” of Major General Suresh Sallay and sought to establish a connection between them and retired Maj. Gen. Sallay.

In reply, the Defence submitted that there was no reason to waste the Court’s valuable time by responding at length to what were, at this stage, merely unsubstantiated theories advanced by the CID and the prosecution.

The Defence emphatically stated that there was absolutely no evidence demonstrating that any of these individuals had any connection, whatsoever, with my client at the time of the incidents in question. It was submitted that these allegations appeared to be nothing more than speculative assertions intended to create a particular narrative and generate media publicity, rather than allegations supported by substantive evidence.

The Defence maintained that any allegation of a connection between Sallay and the individuals referred to by the prosecution must be established through credible and admissible evidence, rather than conjecture,a or unsubstantiated assertions.

Convenor of the Janathawadi Joint Opposition, Prof. G. L. Peiris, yesterday (16), said that the NPP government was under fire in Geneva due to its failure to keep its promise to do away with the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).

The government had to withdraw the proposed new antiterrorism law as it failed to secure the support of the international community. Addressing the media at the Flower Road Office of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, the former External Affairs Minister explained how the NPP government had ended up in an extremely difficult and embarrassing situation at the UNHRC for want of an acceptable anti-terrorism law to replace the PTA, enacted in 1979.

Prof. Peiris accused the government of failing to initiate talks with the interested parties. Alleging that the process had failed to address the concerns of all, he said that the proposed law that was made public, in Dec. 2025, and the subsequent one, too, failed to have the backing of the interested parties.

The UNHRC was waiting for the government to unveil a new proposal acceptable to all, Prof. Peiris said, pointing out that last year 44 persons had been detained in terms of the PTA and there were 12 cases so far this year. The former Minister stressed that the NPP government was using the PTA that itself was found to be unacceptable and should be repealed.

Prof. Peiris quoted the Geneva Human Rights Chief, Turk, as saying that the PTA should be suspended, pending introduction of a new law.

Prof. Peiris also attacked the NPP over its failure to at least begin the process to do away with the controversial Bill. The ex-Minister censured the NPP over its handling of the alleged Chemmani mass graves while explaining how the government bungled the re-election of Turk, in New York. While 144 countries backed Turk’s re-election, Sri Lanka refrained from taking a position, Prof. Peiris said, explaining how the mishandling of the issue weakened the country’s position. Prof. Peiris said that Sri Lanka’s decision to abstain at the vote was counterproductive.

Prof. Peiris suggested that Sri Lanka should have supported the re-election of Turk. The position taken by the government led to Turk taking a strong stand in respect of Sri Lanka. The former Minister said that the country was at risk of Turk’s anger due to wrong government policy.

Prof. Peiris also raised the failure of the government to introduce a new Independent Prosecutor, a pledge included in its manifesto. The government shouldn’t make empty promises, Prof. Peiris said, urging the government to be mindful in making promises to the people here and to the international community. (SF)

Construction work on the Accident and Emergency Unit at the Mannar District General Hospital commenced this morning (16) under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

The Accident and Emergency Unit, which is being constructed at a cost of Rs. 600 million with a grant from the Government of India, will be equipped with all modern facilities and will further expand healthcare services for the people of Mannar. Construction is scheduled to be completed in the first quarter of 2028.

Upon completion of the project, the people of Mannar will be able to receive emergency trauma care and other specialised healthcare services without having to travel to Colombo or other major cities. At the same time, the Government has taken steps to provide the Mannar District General Hospital with the medical equipment and staff required to support these services.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who attended the commencement of construction work on the Accident and Emergency Unit, also engaged in a cordial conversation with members of the hospital staff.

Addressing the ceremony held thereafter, Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said that as the Mannar area, which is expected to make an important contribution to the national economy, develops, this project will help ensure quality healthcare services for its people. The Minister further emphasised that, in creating a “A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life”, the Government is committed to ensuring healthy and disease-free lives for all 21.7 million citizens of the country.

Further remarks by Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa

“The Mannar District is an area that is expected to make an important contribution to our national economy. A large number of local and foreign tourists will visit this area both now and in the future.

With the development of transport facilities, Mannar will experience further economic growth. In such a context, upgrading the services of the Mannar hospital will be important in ensuring quality healthcare services for the people of this area as well as those who visit the region.

Accordingly, construction of this Accident and Emergency Unit will be completed and the facility will be made available to the public in the first quarter of 2028. In addition, staff quarters for doctors at the Mannar District General Hospital are being constructed in a four-storey building at a cost of Rs. 243 million. These construction activities are also expected to be completed within one and a half years. Construction of the new Paediatric Unit, being built at a cost of Rs. 230 million, is also expected to commence within this year.

Similarly, the CT scanner that you have been continuously requesting will be provided to you by around February next year. It is worth approximately Rs. 250 million. While these building facilities are being developed, we will also provide the staff required by the hospital. You have also received intern medical officers for the first time in the history of this hospital. Several more intern medical officers will be assigned to you this October. At the same time, steps are currently being taken to address the shortage of specialist medical officers.

On 31 October, we will recruit 2,600 new nurses, and a portion of them will be assigned to this hospital. Personnel required for the allied health professions are also currently undergoing training. Once their training is completed, the services of several of them will be made available to this hospital. In addition, we will recruit 1,100 Public Health Midwives, a portion of whom will also be assigned to this area.

This Government is taking numerous measures to provide people with healthy lives. Through these initiatives, we hope to improve the health and quality of life of the people in this area.

More than Rs. 600 billion has been allocated to the Ministry of Health over the past two years, and the President continuously monitors all its projects. Going beyond that, I am deeply grateful to the President for joining us  today.

We have received the support of the Government of India for this project. I extend my special appreciation to the Government of India, including the Prime Minister, and its people, as well as to the High Commissioner of India and his staff, who have been committed to coordinating these activities and ensuring the success of this project.

Among district hospitals, the Mannar hospital is one with very limited facilities. Despite these shortcomings, I appreciate the dedication of all members of the staff, including the doctors, who remain committed to providing the best possible service to the people. I also consider the President’s visit to be a recognition of your service.

Two years ago, on 21 September 2024, the people of this country gave a clear mandate to create a “A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life”. That mandate was further strengthened in November 2024. Under the mandate to create a “A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life”, we have been entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring healthy and disease-free lives for all citizens of this country.

Your area of residence, profession, wealth or ethnicity is of no relevance to us in this regard. The Government’s objective is to create a beautiful life through healthy and disease-free living for all 21.7 million citizens of Sri Lanka.”

High Commissioner of India Santosh Jha:

“The agreements for the emergency unit in Mannar and the medical ward complex in Mullaitivu were signed under President Dissanayake’s leadership. I am happy to see these commitments transitioning smoothly into swift implementation.

His Excellency the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, has said that the development assistance extended by India to Sri Lanka comes with a deep sense of responsibility, a duty that one naturally feels for one’s family member.

We remain firmly committed to working closely with the Government of Sri Lanka and the people of Sri Lanka for the well-being and prosperity of all communities across the island. As neighboring countries and close partners, we will continue to walk together this shared path toward lasting progress and development of our peoples.”

Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Mass Media Dr. Anil Jasinghe

“For several decades, injuries and accidents have been the leading cause of hospital admissions in Sri Lanka. As Mannar is geographically somewhat isolated, it is extremely important for the district to have access to quality, free healthcare services without delay.

The assignment of intern medical officers to this hospital commenced this year. Arrangements are also currently underway to purchase a CT scanner for the Mannar District General Hospital. The hospital is expected to receive improved radiology facilities by the end of this year or the beginning of next year.

I must say that, during my 36 years in public service, last year was the only period during which I did not face any financial difficulties in carrying out my duties. The prudent macroeconomic management of the current Government, including President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, has created the fiscal space required to develop the country’s health services.”

Mannar District Bishop Rt. Rev. Gnanapragasam Anthonipillai, Northern Province Governor Nagalingam Vethanayahan, Members of Parliament representing the Mannar District, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), Chiefs of the Defence Services, officials of the Ministry of Health, officials of the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka, Consul General of India in Jaffna Sai Murali S. and officials of the Indian Consulate in Jaffna, among others, attended the occasion.

[President’s Media Division]