Connect with us

News

Turkish terror group’s links to Easter Sunday carnage under investigation

Published

on

By Shamindra Ferdinando

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, in terms of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) report on the 2019 Easter Sunday carnage has issued specific instructions to the Police/Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and other relevant authorities to expedite investigations, SLPP Chairman Prof. G.L. Peiris said yesterday.

Addressing the regular SLPP briefing at the Waters Edge, Prof. Peiris, who is also the Education Minister said that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa intervened on behalf of the government whereas the Attorney General proceeded with own actions.

Prof. Peiris said that the entire set of PCoI volumes was handed over to the AG recently to enable him to proceed. The SLPP Chairman emphasized the pivotal importance in taking tangible measures to secure the arrest of those suspects living abroad.

Prof. Peiris said that as part of the overall investigations law enforcement authorities had been instructed to probe the alleged FETO (Fetullah Terrorist Organization aka the Gulen movement) links to the Easter Sunday carnage. Prof. Peiris explained that the proscribed Turkish organization had provided funding to some persons named in the report and a thorough inquiry was called into foreign involvement in the attacks.

The PCoI revealed that the previous government had turned a blind eye to information provided by Turkey regarding FETO activities in Sri Lanka. FETO leader Gulen has secured US protection.

Reiterating the government’s commitment to bring Easter Sunday perpetrators before court, Prof Peiris revealed the arrest of 99 persons in connection with the attacks and also efforts to secure the extradition of 35 others. However, the Minister didn’t explain the status of the extradition process pertaining to those 35 living overseas.

Prof Peiris said that the 36 separate investigations into various aspects of the Easter Sunday attacks had been completed. The police were directed to hand over the relevant files without delay, the minister said.

Appreciating the services rendered by the PCoI, Minister Peiris said that specific information hitherto not available were now with authorities and quite useful in the investigations.

The former top law academic also discussed the Wanathavilluwa detection made by the CID in the run up to the Easter Sunday attacks. Making reference to three wounded persons in custody, Prof. Peiris said that the police were directed to conduct thorough investigations into their alleged involvement.

Archbishop of Colombo Malclom Cardinal Ranjith moved Court of Appeal regarding the recovery of swords and daggers in the wake of the Easter Sunday attacks. The SLPP spokesperson said that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa issued specific instructions as regards the detection of some 1,440 swords and daggers. The academic explained the judiciary addressing the Easter Sunday issues while President Gotabaya Rajapaksa issued directives to expedite the overall process.

Prof. Peiris censured the previous government over allowing extremist elements a free hand. The minister pointed out how foreign preachers were allowed in without any scrutiny. Dismissing Opposition and civil society criticism of planned prohibition of burqa, Prof Peiris emphasized the right and the responsibility on the part of the government to take tangible measures to neutralize the threat.

Blaming the previous government for issuing visa on arrival to dangerous foreign elements, Prof Peiris explained how irresponsible and foolish conduct of the previous administration created an environment for extremists to destroy Buddha statues at Mawanella. If the government of the day properly inquired into Mawanella incidents, including the attempt to kill the then Minister Kabir Hashim’s coordinating secretary, the Easter Sunday carnage could have been averted, the minister said.

Minister Peiris also questioned the rationale in one-time Western Province Governor Azath Salley’s declaration that his community wouldn’t care about laws of the country and would abide by Muslims law. The minister said that no one would be able to take such a stand under any circumstances.

Commenting on PCoI recommendations and findings, Prof. Peiris said that 54 persons living abroad were categorized as wanted in connection with the Easter Sunday investigations. Of them, 50 had been already extradited and were under investigations whereas actions were being taken to bring down the remaining four in foreign custody.

Minister Peiris said that the government would soon request Australia to inquire into some persons who had been arrested in Qatar in Oct 2020 and subsequently sent Down Under.

According to Minister Peiris, the PCoI called for the establishment of a separate unit at the AG’s Department to handle terrorism cases, bring in amendments or introduce new laws in parliament as regards foreign funding matters, extradition and money laundering et al, setting up a National Intelligence Organization by way of a parliamentary act, restrictions on setting up of private organizations by lawmakers and special court to hear Easter Sunday case and any other case related to it.



Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest News

Navy seize two Indian fishing boats poaching in Sri Lankan waters north of Mannar

Published

on

By

The Sri Lanka Navy seized two [02] Indian fishing boats and apprehended 14 Indian fishermen while they were poaching in Sri Lankan waters, during a special operation conducted in the sea area north of Mannar in the dark hours of 08 Feb 25.

The seized boats  together with the fourteen Indian fishermen were brought to the Iranativu Island and they were to be handed over to the Assistant Directorate of Fisheries, Kilinochchi for onward legal proceedings.

Continue Reading

Latest News

Islandwide power outage

Published

on

By

A sudden power cut has been reported across the island.

Accordingly, the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) said steps are being taken to restore the power supply.

Continue Reading

Business

President invites exporters to rise again from the economic setback

Published

on

By

President Anura Kumar Disanayake invited Sri Lankan exporters to rebuild and thrive on a robust economic foundation.

The President emphasized that our country faces the challenge of capturing market share from a position of relative weakness. He pointed out that, to overcome this, external support had to be sought. In this regard, he highlighted that the government is prepared to provide assistance for recovery based on the current economic stability.

President Anura Kumar Disanayake made these remarks at the 26th Presidential Export Awards Ceremony.

The 26th Presidential Export Awards, organized by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), was held on Friday (07) at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) under the patronage of President Anura Kumar Disanayake.

The main objective of the awards ceremony is to recognize exporters who have made significant contributions to the economic development of Sri Lanka.

The Presidential Export Award, presented by the President, is the highest honour for Sri Lankan exporters who have made significant contributions to the export sector and economic development.

The Presidential Export Awards program, initiated by the EDB in 1981, has been held annually to recognize Sri Lanka’s top exporters. The awards ceremony for the 2023/24 financial year took place this year.

A total of 14 major awards and 51 awards in the categories of production and services were presented, with recipients gaining the opportunity to use the Presidential Export Award logo as a marketing tool for three years.

President Anura Kumar Disanayake further emphasized the critical importance of the trust placed in Sri Lanka by international economic stakeholders to stabilize the country’s economy. He noted that the global market economy is interconnected, not entirely independent.

He further pointed out that the primary challenge facing Sri Lanka is securing a substantial share of the market amidst the current global division of markets and the ongoing competition to reclaim market shares.

President Anura Kumar Disanayake noted that the global market has become an interconnected network. He emphasized that in order for the country to become a key participant in this market, it must engage in trade agreements that are beneficial to Sri Lanka. He cautioned that aggressive, reckless approaches to market penetration would not be successful, stressing the need for strategic, thoughtful engagement.

The President further stated that the government is already taking steps to provide the necessary technical support for Sri Lankan exporters to enter the market with high-quality products. He highlighted the government’s focus on supplying new goods and services in response to global changes, in line with international market trends.

Regarding the reduction of electricity bills, the President mentioned that the government is prioritizing renewable energy sources to maintain long-term stability in energy costs. He added that efforts are underway to lower costs and ensure stable pricing over the next few years.

President Disanayake also emphasized that the government is committed to playing a pivotal role in advancing the nation’s economy to new heights. He noted that even small or misguided decisions can have significant negative impacts on the economy, and therefore, decisions regarding the economy must be made with great caution and foresight.

In his remarks, the President assured that the government is fully committed to fulfilling exporters’ requests, which are vital to strengthening the nation’s economy and maintaining a strong economic foundation.

Finally, the President invited Sri Lankan exporters to unite in strengthening the economy, stressing the importance of collaboration and mutual understanding to navigate the challenges of economic recovery and growth effectively.

The ceremony was attended by several distinguished individuals, including Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunnetti, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Energy Kumara Jayakody, Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Chathuranga Abeysinghe, Secretary to the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Thilaka Jayasundara, Chairman and Chief Executive of the Export Development Board of Sri Lanka Mangala Wijesinghe, Chairman of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Duminda Hulangamuwa, along with various Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Parliamentarians, foreign diplomats, Secretaries to the Ministries, and members of the EDB.

[PMD]

 

Continue Reading

Trending