Counsel blames ex-Head of SIS for Easter carnage as he failed to share intelligence warnings

By Chitra Weerarathne

DIG Nilantha Jayawardena, as the Chief of the State Intelligence Service, had been aware of the Islamic extremist threat to Churches and tourist hotels from April 4, 2019. He had not divulged it at the State Intelligence Services meeting of April 9, 2019, Counsel Rohan Weerakoon told the Supreme Court, yesterday appearing for the former Secretary of Defence Hemasiri Fernando.

 Nilantha Jayawardena had been informed by the Indian Intelligence Services, of a possible. Islamic extremist attack on Easter Sunday, on Catholic and Christian Shrines.

On 12 April 2019, the then President, Maithripala Sirisena travelled to Batticaloa. He was not aware of a Muslim threat in Batticaoloa, the Counsel said.

Nilantha Jayawardena did not divulge the information to the Tri Forces, the Counsel added.

 On 07 April, Jayawardena had written a letter to Hemasiri Fernando, without divulging the information, the Counsel said.

Due to the negligence of one officer, 259 innocent devotees had died at Churches and some prominent tourist hotels in Colombo on Easter Sunday of 21 April 2019. Five Hundred others had been seriously injured, Counsel said.

Additional Solicitor General Priyantha Navarna, President’s Counsel appeared for the Attorney General.

The case was argued before a seven- judge Bench chaired by  Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya.