News

Opposition claims govt. afraid of instituting criminal proceedings against DIG Nilantha Jayawardena

Published

3 years ago

2023/09/21

Sahan Weerasooriya

Kiriella

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.

All News Advertisement

Related Topics:Featured Lakshman Kiriella SJB Minister Lakshman Kiriella

Up Next

Sri Lanka unveils Climate Prosperity Plan and Climate Justice Forum to tackle climate challenges globally

Don't Miss

Ranil meets Power

Click to comment

Latest News

Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district

Published

14 hours ago

2026/04/16

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 15 April 2026, valid for 16 April 2026.

The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern
and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491

Latest News

Indonesian Navy Sailing Ship KRI BIMA SUCI – 945 makes port call in Colombo

Published

19 hours ago

2026/04/15

Priyan

The Indonesian Navy Sailing Ship KRI BIMA SUCI – 945 arrived at the Port of Colombo on a goodwill visit on 15 Apr 2026 and was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) in compliance with time-honoured naval traditions.

The vessel’s arrival is a key highlight of the ASEAN Plus Cadet Sail (APCS) – 2026 programme , accompanying a diverse contingent of Navy cadets from 26 different nations alongside their Indonesian counterparts.

The ship is commanded by Commander SUGENG HARIYANTO. Meanwhile, Officer Under-trainees of the Sri Lanka Navy are expected to participate in various programmes aboard the
ship and naval personnel observe its operational functions during its stay in the island.

Furthermore, the ship’s crew is scheduled to take part in programmes organized by the Sri Lanka Navy to enhance camaraderie between the two navies, as well as visit several tourist attractions in the country.

News

PM initiates children into learning at the auspicious time while observing New Year traditional customs and rituals

Published

19 hours ago

2026/04/15

Priyan

The Sinhala and Tamil New Year cultural festival, organized by the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, was held on Tuesday (14) in Gampaha under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, with the performance of traditional auspicious customs and rituals.

In accordance with tradition, during the Punya Kalaya (inauspicious time), the Prime Minister visited the Medagama Sri Sunandarama Viharaya in Gampaha and participated in religious observances and received blessings from Venerable Thunmodara Samitha Thero, a member of the Karaka Sangha Sabha of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya and the Chief Incumbent of the Medagama Sri Sunandarama Dharmaduta Piriven Viharaya.

The traditional observances of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year cultural festival were held at the residence of Darshana Weerasinghe in Gampaha. Marking the auspicious time for commencing work, and upon the invitation of the host family, the Prime Minister planted a sapling within the premises. Concurrently, Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, joined the PM.

Subsequently, the Prime Minister joined children in engaging in traditional folk games.

At the auspicious time for engaging work and educational activities, the PM participated with children in reading and writing, guiding them and symbolically marking the commitment to advancing the educational development of the nation’s children.

Thereafter, the Prime Minister and other distinguished guests observed the traditional customs of exchanging greetings, transactions and gifts with the host family, and joined them to partake in the customary New Year meal.

Extending New Year greetings to all citizens, the Prime Minister expressed her gratitude to all Sri Lankans, both at home and abroad, for their contributions in overcoming and effectively managing the various challenges faced by the country.

Speaking at the occasion, Minister Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi stated that the Sinhala and Tamil New Year festival symbolizes renewal and purity, and reflects the energy of the sun. He also conveyed his wishes for a peaceful and prosperous New Year for all.

The occasion was attended by the Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning and Minister of Labour, Dr. Anil Jayantha; Deputy Minister of Labour, Mahinda Jayasinghe; Member of Parliament for the Gampaha District, Ruwan Mapalagama; along with the Gampaha District Secretary, Mayor, Divisional Secretaries, and a large number of government officials.

(Prime Minister’s Media Division)