News
‘Reconciliation took precedence over national security under yahapalana govt.’
By Rathindra Kuruwita
Reconciliation had figured above national security on the Defence Ministry’s list of priorities under the yahapalana government and it was a mistake, former Chief of National Intelligence Sisira Mendis yesterday told the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) investigating the Easter Sunday attacks.
The witness said so in answer to a question from one of the Commissioners.
“Yes, reconciliation came first. The previous government was trying to improve the country’s image because Sri Lanka was facing many issues internationally. A lot of foreigners came in to talk about reconciliation and the Defence Secretaries had to sit down with them and have long discussions.”
The witness added that there had been times when he wondered if they were talking about intelligence gathered during weekly intelligence review meetings.
“The government also wanted to release lands in the North that were held by the security forces. This is not an easy thing to do. Releasing land took so much of our time. There were no barriers on the roads and no search operations. People forgot about security. I knew the importance of national security but there wasn’t anything we could do.”
Although representatives of intelligence agencies were to meet on Tuesday every month, those meetings were never held as scheduled between July 2015 and April 2019, he said.
The weekly intelligence review meetings were to be chaired by either the State Minister of Defence or the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, he said.
“Four meetings should be held each month but the representatives never met four times a month between July 2015 and April 2019,” Mendis said.
During some months only one meeting had been held, he said.
“Although the State Minister chaired some of them initially, he did not attend any meeting in 2019,” he added.
A meeting between UN Resident Coordinator Marc-André Franche and Chief of Staff to the President Prabath Chandrakeerthi was held on Monday (07) morning at the Presidential Secretariat.
Particular attention was given to the Government’s programme to resettle people who lost their homes due to Cyclone Ditwah.
The Government’s programme to address potential disasters that may arise in the future amid El Nino conditions was also discussed. The Chief of Staff to the President briefed the UN Resident Coordinator on the Government’s preparedness and plans to address such challenges.
Mr Franche stated that the United Nations was prepared to provide the necessary assistance to the Government to support the successful implementation of these programmes.
Partnerships and Development Finance Specialist at the United Nations Azam Bakeer Markar and UN Sri Lanka Humanitarian and Resilience Officer Wagisha Perera also participated in the discussion.
[President’s Media Division]
[ Cricbuzz]
The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Udaygiri arrived at the Port of Colombo on an official visit today, 8 September 2026, where it was received by the Sri Lanka Navy in accordance with time-
honoured naval traditions.
INS Udaygiri is a 149.02m long Frigate, Commanded by Captain Vikas Sood. Meanwhile, the Commanding Officer of the visiting ship is scheduled to call on Commander Western Naval
Area, Rear Admiral Harsha De Silva at the Western Naval Command Headquarters.
Captain Sood served as the Defence Adviser at the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka from July 2020 to October 2023.
During their stay in the island, the crew of INS Udaygiri will participate in several goodwill events organized by the Sri Lanka Navy to enhance camaraderie between the two forces.
The visiting personnel are also scheduled to visit prominent tourist and cultural locations across the island.
Additionally, Sri Lanka Navy personnel are expected to visit the ship for capability observation and knowledge sharing, and will conduct onboard training during its stay.
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