NPP pledges to bring criminal charges against Maithripala and others over Easter Sunday attacks

• Releases charter pledging to deliver justice to victims under a future NPP Govt. 
• Accuses consecutive Governments of failing to delivery justice to victims and families 
• Assures a special investigation commission will be set up to conduct further inquiries

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) led National People’s Power (NPP) party released a charter yesterday, promising that under an NPP Government, justice would be delivered to the victims of the Easter Sunday attack.

Addressing a press conference NPP Executive Council member Counsel Sunil Watagala said the party decided to release the charter because consecutive Governments have failed to deliver justice to those affected by the Easter Sunday terror attack.

“Two hundred seventy-three lives were lost and over 500 people were injured. Even today, leaders responsible for failing to prevent the attack are treating it as a joke. Five years later, they still consider it an insignificant event,” he remarked.

He said the NPP charter primarily focuses on bringing criminal charges against persons such as former President Maithripala Sirisena, who were found at fault by the Supreme Court for failing to prevent the attack and implementing the recommendations made by the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) into the Easter Sunday attacks.

“Under an NPP Government, we pledge to deliver justice and pursue criminal charges against those responsible,” he said.

The charter has outlined seven key promises, including efforts to apprehend the masterminds behind the attack, expedite the ongoing legal cases related to the incident as a priority, seeking the repatriation of any suspects who are currently abroad and establish a comprehensive compensation system to support the victims and their families.

Additionally, the NPP charter includes a promise to establish a special investigation commission to conduct further inquiries into the attacks. Watagala said this commission will aim to identify any additional individuals who may be responsible and ensure they are held accountable under the law. The 5th anniversary of the Easter Sunday attack will be observed on 21 April.