Lanka Prez receives interim report on Easter Sunday attack

A three-member investigation committee appointed to look into the Easter Sunday terror attacks on Wednesday submitted an interim report to President Maithripala Sirisena, who said that Sri Lanka will have to "think differently" now to fight the IS terror group.

The president said he would have consultations with the Attorney General and will take necessary action accordingly.

I got the interim report of the committee. I'm not going to disclose what was included in the reports. I'm hoping to take the necessary legal action after discussing the content of the interim report with the Attorney General tomorrow," the president was quoted as saying by the News 1st.

 

The special panel will release its full report on May 6 and has recorded statements from several top state authorities, including former defence secretary and the suspended police chief.

The panel appointed by President Sirisena on April 21 to conduct investigations into the series of suicide attacks on eight places in the country, commenced its works on April 22.

Speaking at a May Day function here, the President said, "The Defence Secretary and the Inspector General of Police had the opportunity to prevent the attacks from taking place. But they have not fulfilled that responsibility."

"It is not that we have to fight the IS terror organization as we fought with the LTTE. We have to think differently now. We have to plan it in a different way," he said.

"Some accuse that we are trying to bring down soldiers from other countries. No. We will not let soldiers from another country to come here. And I will not let it happen.

"Our security forces -Army, Navy and Airforce, Police and the STF have the potential to eradicate these terrorists. We need the support of foreign intelligence experts who are trained to eradicate terrorism," he said.

The Special Investigation Committee is headed by retired Supreme Court Judge Vijith K Malalgoda and comprises former Inspector General of Police NK Illangakoon and former Law & Order Ministry Secretary Padmasiri Jayamanne.

Statements from several high-ranking state officials, including the former defense secretary Hemasiri Fernando and the suspended police chief Pujith Jayasundera, have also been recorded, the President's Media Division said.

While Fernando resigned heeding Sirisena's call, Jayasundera refused.

He, however, was sent on compulsory leave by Sirisena while appointing an acting police chief.

The special panel was appointed to report on the alleged security lapse which had paved the way for the local jihadist group, National Thowheeth Jamaath (NTJ) to carry out country's worst terror attacks that killed over 250 people and injured 500 others.

The military in the North Province said as a security precaution they have asked all religious places to register with the military all occupants in the respective mosques. The military said a large number of people are being temporarily accommodated at religious sites.