Easter Sunday blasts: Red herrings

By I. P. C. MENDIS

Enthusiasm initially displayed to get to the bottom of the whole episode on the Easter Sunday blasts eventually fast waned with the findings and recommendations in the Report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry. Those who find themselves in the dock seem to be mustering support, looking for red herrings so that the report can be dismissed as useless. What better straw can they cling on to except the popular acceptance and regard generally shown by the country to His Eminence, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, who understandably as the most aggrieved party proclaimed recently his dissatisfaction with the methodology/commitment of the whole inquisitorial exercise, and insisted on knowing who the brains behind it were.

Indeed, it goes without saying that the Cardinal’s thinking as well as his goal is entirely different from the agenda of those faulted by the Commission. In this regard, suffice it to say that the Roman Catholic authorities themselves should have been smart and alert enough to follow the various initiatives taken by the yahapalana regime to have a proper investigation ensuring comprehensive, specific terms of reference, etc. The writer while tendering his apologies if he is wrong in his assumptions, wishes to point out that any Commission of Inquiry has to function and conduct its investigations strictly on the basis of the terms of reference (TOR) determined by the appointing authority – in this case the President.

There is no way it can deviate or overstep this mandate. The government maintains a dead silence, not getting into the fray of accepting or denying the criticism/allegations against the PCOI. If indeed the PCOI had, in fact, followed strictly the TOR, it behoves the Presidential Secretariat to reveal the correct position in the public interest, and in fairness to the PCOI, which cannot defend itself. The government should not play hide and seek. The taxpayer has to get a return on his huge investment in the PCOI.

The appointment of the said PCOI had been published in gazette extraordinary No. 2141/88 of 21st September 2019, and the Terms of Reference would no doubt have been included therein. ( I was not successful in having access to this document.). However, the Daily News’of 23.09.19 while adverting to this gazette notification has had a narration of a statement made by President Sirirsena in reference to the appointment of the PCOI, which makes no reference to any commitment on the part of the PCOI to investigate the origin and funding of the organisation or agency behind the terror plan and its motives etc.

It is too far-fetched for the Executive Committee of the SLFP to even remotely imagine that President Sirisena would have chosen Commissioners who might eventually have thoughts of targeting him! It is preposterous and an unacceptable argument. It is the same with certain others who are now attempting to save themselves. If the TOR lacked the clout that was essential for the PCOI to investigate fully, the blame should lie with the appointing authority. Those in the dock seem to be attempting to escape the long arm of the law by creating public opinion against the PCOI with specious arguments. The proper forum is now the Courts of Justice, where they will have the opportunity to present all their arguments and defend themselves. Face it like men! Some relevant civil societies need to seriously consider whether there is any legal provision to haul some of the critics for contempt of the Commission although the PCoI has completed its term.