NPC terminates ex-SDIG Nilantha Jayawardena following Easter attack inquiry

Monday, 21 July 2025 04:27 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Three-member tribunal finds him guilty of all charges, leading to dismissal by NPC

Former SDIG Nilantha Jayawardena

The National Police Commission (NPC) has officially terminated the service of former Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (SDIG) Nilantha Jayawardena, following a disciplinary inquiry related to the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks.

Jayawardena, who previously served as the Head of the State Intelligence Service (SIS), was placed on compulsory leave by the NPC in July 2024, pending an internal investigation.

Following the conclusion of the inquiry, the NPC has decided to dismiss Jayawardena from service, a statement issued by the Commission on 19 July noted.

According to a formal disciplinary investigation report submitted to the NPC on 4 July by a three-member tribunal, Jayawardena was found guilty of all charges listed in the charge sheet.

Last year, the Attorney General filed contempt of Court charges against Jayawardena for failing to pay Rs. 75 million in compensation to the victims of the Easter Sunday bombings, as ordered by the Supreme Court.

On 12 January 2023, the Supreme Court ruled that former President Maithripala Sirisena, former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando, former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Pujith Jayasundara, former National Intelligence Chief Sisira Mendis, and former SIS Chief Nilantha Jayawardena had violated the Fundamental Rights of the petitioners by failing to act on prior intelligence that could have prevented the attacks.

The Court ordered the officials to personally compensate the victims of the coordinated suicide bombings that killed over 250 people and injured hundreds more.

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