PSC term extended by one month

The House yesterday extended the term of the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) appointed to investigate the Easter Sunday attacks until 30 September.  

The one-month extension was given to complete the investigation and file its report. The extension, granted by Parliament in terms of Standing Order 102, will expire on 30 September.

On 22 May, the PSC was appointed under the leadership of Deputy Speaker and the Chairman of Committees J. M. Ananda Kumarasiri to investigate whether law enforcement authorities had received intelligence reports relating to such attacks, prior thereto; whether the relevant authorities took adequate measures to prevent and or mitigate such attacks.

Also whether there were deficiencies in the State machinery that led to the inability to prevent or mitigate the effects of such attacks; any other factors which contributed to such terrorist attacks; what action should be taken to prevent such attacks in future; and any other matters connected or incidental thereto.

This high profile committee is comprised of lawmakers Susantha Punchinilame, Piyasena Gamage, Prof. Ashu Marasinghe, Mujibur Rahuman, Dr. Jayampathy Wickramaratne, Dr. Harsha De Silva, Karunarathna Paranawithana, Ajith Mannapperuma, Harshana Rajakaruna, J. C. Alawathuwala, Lucky Jayawardana, Sandith Samarasinghe, Mavai S. Senathirajah, Gnanamuthu Srineshan, I. Charles Nirmalanathan, A. D. Premadasa, Wijith Wijayamuni Zoysa, Mohamadu Nazeer, M. S. Thowfeek, Piyankara Jayaratne, Kumara Welgama, Dr. V. Radhakrishnan, Dr. S. M. Mohamed Ismail, Ishak Rahuman, A. H. M. Fowzie, Dr. Nalinda Jayathissa, Sunil Handunnetti, Ajith P. Perera, Mylvaganam Thilakarajah, Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena, Anuradha Jayaratne, Nimal Lanza, C. B. Rathnayake, Anura Priyadharshana Yapa, T. B. Ekanayake, A. D. Susil Premajayantha, Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Dharmalingam Sithadthan, and Udaya Prabhath Gammanpila. 

However, some Opposition lawmakers did not take part in the PSC. (AH)