News
AG at meeting with Cardinal stresses need to study all 87 volumes of PCoI report
… directs IGP to probe four persons including Sara
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Attorney General Dappula de Livera, PC, has informed the Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith that it is futile to proceed with the 2019 Easter Sunday case unless he receives access to all volumes of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) report, and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) completed its investigations into the attacks.
The AG met the Archbishop on Monday (8).
The meeting took place against the backdrop of the PCoI decision to deny the AG access to 22 volumes out of 87 on the basis that they contained sensitive information, the disclosure of which could be detrimental to national security.
Coordinating Officer to AG State Counsel Nishara Jayaratne yesterday revealed that the AG had told the Cardinal that as the final report received by him didn’t provide any specific information or evidence regarding the Easter Sunday mastermind, conspirators and those directly or indirectly involved, the need to examine all volumes was of pivotal importance.
The meeting led to an extraordinary gathering of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Sri Lanka the following day and public demand for the immediate releasing of what the P CoI called sensitive documents. The Island learns that each volume consists of approximately 600 pages.
State Counsel Jayaratne said that the AG had also instructed IGP C.D. Wickremaratne to investigate four persons, including Sara Jesmin, the wife of Katuwapitiya bomber Hastun. And the others referred to in the final report of the PCoI namely Abu Hind, Lukman Thalib and Abu Abdullah Rimzan.
In spite of claims that Sara Jesmin managed to flee the country and perhaps now living in India, the government hadn’t been able to trace her whereabouts.
The AG had assured the Cardinal that he would do everything possible to bring the proceedings to a successful conclusion. However, the success of the investigation and the subsequent legal proceedings very much depended on his department receiving access to all documents, he stressed.
The AG, in respect of the writ application filed by the Cardinal, has directed the IGP to conduct a thorough investigation into the importation of swords, daggers and similar weapons into the country before and after the Easter Sunday attacks.
State Counsel Jayaratne said that the AG had briefed the Cardinal on the status of ongoing investigations.
The government, under heavy Opposition fire over inclusion of a sex website in the Grade 6 English module, as well as overall education reforms, has decided to put on hold reforms in respect of Grade 6.
Cabinet Spokesman and Media and Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa announced the government decision yesterday (13) at the post-Cabinet media briefing at the Information Department.
According to him, the decision had been taken at the previous day’s Cabinet meeting, chaired by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Dr. Jayatissa said that education reforms pertaining to Garde 6 had been put on hold until 2027.
The Minister said that other proposed education reforms would be implemented as planned. The Minister said that action would be taken against those responsible for the inclusion of a link to a sex website following investigations conducted by the Criminal Investigation Department and the National Education Institute.
The SJB and several other political parties, as well as civil society groups, have accused the government of promoting an LGBTQ agenda, through the proposed education reforms.
The Opposition grouping Mahajana Handa, on Monday, made representations to the Mahanayake Thera of the Malwatta Chapter regarding the controversial reforms, while urging their intervention to halt the project.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday (13) vowed to go ahead with his government’s agenda, regardless of the destruction caused by Cyclone Ditwah.
Emphasising the responsibility on the part of all to contribute to the post-Ditwah recovery efforts, President Dissanayake said that he would have complete faith in the public service.
The President said so at the launch of the re-building Sri Lanka project at the BMICH yesterday.
The JVP and NPP leader said that he wouldn’t take advantage of the death and destruction caused by the cyclone or use the situation as an excuse to reverse their agenda or weaken it.
President Dissanayake said that in spite of many calling for amending the then Budget, in view of the cyclone, the government presented the proposals that were agreed before the disaster struck.
The United States has announced that it will provide the Sri Lanka Air Force with 10 US Navy TH-57 helicopters free of charge.
The announcement was made by outgoing US Ambassador Julie Chung, who stated, on social media, that the helicopters would be transferred under the United States’ Excess Defence Articles programme. The aircraft are Bell 206 Sea Ranger helicopters previously operated by the US Navy.
US sources said that the transfer was intended to strengthen Sri Lanka’s disaster response capabilities, following the devastating cyclone that struck the island at the end of 2025 and killed more than 600 people. US officials have framed the move as a humanitarian measure aimed at improving aerial rescue and relief operations.
Showery condition over the island is expected to reduce from tomorrow (15th)
USA’s Ali Khan claims having been ‘denied’ India visa ahead of T20 World Cup
At least 28 dead as crane collapses onto train in Thailand
Fair weather will prevail except for a few showers in the Uva, Eastern, Western and Central provinces and in Galle, Matara and Rathnapura districts
Trump cancels US-Iran meetings, urges protesters to take over institutions
Govt. bows to pressure, shelves Grade 6 reforms
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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