Ex-Army Chief says Sirisena instructed him not to attend meetings summoned by PM

By Rathindra Kuruwita

Former President Maithripala Sirisena had instructed him not to attend a meeting convened by former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on 21 April, 2019, following the Easter Sunday bombings, ex-Army Commander Mahesh Senanayake yesterday told the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) investigating the Easter Sunday attacks.

Senanayake said he was informed through the then Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando.

Gen. (retd.) Senanayake said that he had already taken steps as the then Army Commander to implement certain measures by the time they were discussed at meetings.

However, he said that at the time what was needed to be done was to focus on preventing possible follow-up attacks and take necessary action instead of discussion.