SJB MPs call for all evidence recorded by PCoI on Easter attacks to be made public

Wednesday, 21 April 2021 00:26 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Harin alleges sensitive information withheld from final report
Says an intelligent officer made contact with attackers and was traced through an IP address
Says four CID directors transferred since Govt. took office
Manusha too makes similar claims
Chief Whip asks Opp. MPs to cooperate with authorities and assist Govt. to punish culprits

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Harin Fernando yesterday called for the disclosure of all evidence that was gathered by the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PcoI) that investigated the Easter Sunday attacks, alleging that some sensitive information has been withheld in the Report presented to the Parliament.

“Evidence given before the Commission revealed that while investigating the terror attacks, an IP address led to information that an army officer had contacts with those linked to the attacks, but these details were not included in the Commission’s final Report,” Fernando alleged in Parliament.

He said that Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Director Shani Abeysekera had uncovered the links to the Army officer during the investigation through an IP address.

Fernando alleged that some officers attached to the Army Intelligence Unit had this person released from the Police, stating that it was their project to carry out investigations. “We feel like someone is trying to hide information and sabotage the investigations on the Easter Sunday attacks,” he said.

He added that four CID Directors have been transferred since the Government took office and they are the ones who were investigating the terror attacks.

SJB MP Manusha Nanayakkara said that a person known by the codename “Sonic Sonic” has communicated with ISIS.

He said that those who carried out the attacks had been hiding in two safe houses in Panadura and Ja-Ela, but some of the sensitive information such as this given to the Commission was yet to be made public. Chief Government Whip Minister Johnston Fernando urged the two SJB MPs to hand over whatever information they have to the proper authorities, so that the culprits behind the attack could be punished.

“There is no point in us slinging mud at each other in the House. Your duty is to support the Government’s efforts to find those who are responsible for the attacks and penalise them,” Fernando said.