The government has launched a comprehensive investigation into the 2019 Easter Attacks, including two reports unveiled by former MP Udaya Gammanpila, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Vijitha Herath said. Addressing the weekly post-Cabinet media briefing, he stated that the reports appear to have a political agenda.
The government has already commenced a probe into the attacks and will take necessary action through a Presidential Commission of Inquiry following the investigation’s conclusion. “We have not taken a final decision on whether a new Presidential Commission will be appointed for this purpose or not. However, the decision will be made following the conclusion of the investigations,” he said.
The government has rejected the reports unveiled by Gammanpila, emphasizing that the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) and the Supreme Court did not find former police officials Ravi Seneviratne and Shani Abeysekera guilty. Yapa pointed out that several former officials, including former President Maithripala Sirisena, were found guilty of failing to prevent the attacks.
Minister Herath noted that the reports were generated by committees personally appointed by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, not official Presidential Commissions. He also raised concerns about the suitability of retired justice A.N.J. de Alwis to lead a committee investigating police negligence, given her past allegations.
The government assured that it will continue to investigate the Easter attacks and provide justice to the victims while maintaining that Seneviratne and Abeysekera will not be removed from their positions based on these reports.
