AG directs criminal investigations against former Def. Secy Hemasiri

Tuesday, 25 June 2019 00:34 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Criminal investigations with regards to ‘major lapses’ on Fernando’s part
Directive comes days after AG directed similar action against nine Police officers
AG considers report of Special Board of Inquiry appointed by President to inquire into terror attacks in making directive

The Attorney General(AG) yesterday directed Acting IGP Chandana Wickremeratne to initiate criminal investigations with regards to the ‘major lapses’ attributed to former Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Hemasiri Fernando for his failure to minimise or prevent the Easter Sunday terror attacks. The directive against Fernando came days after the AG directed the IGP to initiate both criminal and disciplinary action against nine Police officers including three DIGs in connection with failure on their part to minimise/prevent the attacks.

Former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando

The action against Fernando and the Police officers have been directed after the AG considered the contents of the final report dated 7 June of the ‘Special Board of Inquiry appointed to inquire into the series of incidents related to the explosions that occurred at several places in the island on 21 April’.

The Board of Inquiry was appointed by President Maithripala Sirisena soon after the terrorist attacks. The three-member Board of Inquiry headed by Supreme Court Judge Vijith Malalgoda submitted its final report on 10 June.

In a letter addressed to the Acting IGP, the AG said he had considered the recommendations of the Board of Inquiry and advised that criminal investigations against Fernando be initiated. A copy of the letter was sent to the Secretary to the President.

Fernando was appointed Defence Secretary in October last year and resigned on 29 April after the Easter Sunday attacks.

He appeared before the Parliament Select Committee (PSC) probing the attacks in early June and gave an insight into a working of the inner circles of the Government in the lead up to the attacks. In his evidence, he described a scenario where national security was highly compromised with National Security Council meetings held erratically and with him being left out of most intelligence briefings with the President along with the Prime Minister and the State Minister for Defence.