Easter Sunday accusations:

Pivithuru Hela Urumaya leader Udaya Gammanpila yesterday (16) alleged that the government had discussed the possibility of taking him into custody for having in his possession two reports on the 2019 Easter Sunday carnage.

The former Minister said so while addressing the media at the PHU office at Pita Kotte.

Attorney-at-Law Gammanpila said he had information that government leaders examined the possibility of arresting him in terms of the Official Secrets Act and Prevention of terrorism Act (PTA).

Disclosing that he had obtained both reports after Anura Kumara Dissanayake took over the Presidency, following his victory at the Sept. 21 election, ex-parliamentarian Gammanpila said he did not have contacts within the Presidential Secretariat to obtain such reports, but he had learnt from reliable sources that the government was planning to arrest him.

Dismissing Foreign Minister and Cabinet Spokesman Vijitha Herath’s warning on Tuesday (15) that Gammanpila would be appropriately dealt with unless he handed over both reports to the government, within three days, the former Minister said that he would release the reports, sans sections inimical to national security.

Gammanpila said that having exploited the Easter Sunday carnage to his advantage at the presidential election, President Dissanayake couldn’t suppress the reports produced at the taxpayers’ expense.

Gammanpila said that he had received the reports on 10 Oct., and four days later asked government to release them.

The ex-Minister said that the government owed an explanation as to why it went to such an extent to suppress the reports. One of the reports dealt with the working of the intelligence services with the focus on the State Intelligence Service (SIS) and the Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI) while the second report examined the Channel 4 allegations directed at former DMI head Maj. General Suresh Salley, pertaining to his direct role in arranging the National Thowheed Jamaat (NTJ) suicide attacks on three churches and three hotels.

Gammanpila said that the government shouldn’t expect him to hand over reports unless an assurance was given publicly that both would be made available to the public.

The ex-MP said that as he promised the reports would be released on 21 Oct. (SF)

New Attorney General of Seychelles, Sri Lankan national Vincent Perera, was sworn in yesterday (16) at the State House. The Seychelles News Agency quoted Perera as having said, “Together with my team, I will pledge that I will be contributing to the best of my abilities to see that the rule of law, in this beautiful country, is upheld.”

He revealed that “there are changes in the system we operate that I intend to bring through my experience of working in other jurisdictions, so I have to beef up the prosecutors with the necessary skills.”

This will include the necessary training to ensure that they are one step ahead of criminals and that “together we shall ensure that the guilty shall not escape, nor innocent suffer,”he said.

The Attorney General’s Office has the mandate of providing the government with legal advice and is the
country’s criminal prosecution service. It is also responsible for ensuring legal footing when the government signs international treaties, conventions and agreements as well as other complex contracts the government enters.

Sri Lanka-born Perera is qualified as an Attorney-at-Law of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka, barrister and solicitor of Fiji and an accredited mediator at the Singapore Mediation Centre.

He also holds a Master of Laws degree from the University of Colombo and before he was appointed
Attorney General, Perera was working at the Seychelles’ Attorney General’s Office as a legal consultant, heading civil litigation.

Perera said that he will be studying the issue of case backlogs in the system.

“When I come to know the statistics, I will devise a system, because I have the experience in clearing backlogs,” he added.

Perera will be holding office for the coming four years, replacing Frank Ally, who has held the post since October 2017.

The Convocation of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) was held at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) on Tuesday (15). Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal (retd.) Sampath Thuyacontha addressed the convocation as the Chief Guest.

A total of 1,728 students graduated

A statement issued by the Defence Ministry quoted AVM Thuyacontha as having said: “In the realm of national security, our defence apparatus is entrusted with protecting the safety and well-being of our people. “We have seen the impact of conflict and have also experienced the healing power of peace. As you step into the next phase of your journey, I urge you to take with you the lessons of our nation’s past. Let us never forget the value of peace, stability and cooperation”

The wartime Commander of the celebrated Mi-24 gunship squadron reiterated that national security is the top priority.

The KDU was initially established to meet the educational needs of the Tri-Forces officers in 1981.

Later it was elevated to a fully-fledged University and civilian students were also granted the opportunity to study here in 2009. Presently, international students also pursue doctoral, postgraduate and postgraduate diploma courses at the KDU which is a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities and the International Association of Universities.