Hizbullah protected Zahran, says ex-IGP

by Rathindra Kuruwita

Former Governor of the Eastern Province M.L.A.M. Hizbullah had protected National Thowheed Jamaat (NTJ) leader Zahran Hashim, according to information he had received, alleged former IGP Pujith Jayasundara, on Friday, before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the Easter Sunday attacks.

Jayasundara said that there had been close links between Zahran and the Kattankudi Police. Thus, after a clash between the NTJ and another organisation called Sunnathul Wala Jamaat at Aliyar Junction in Kattankudy, in March 2017, he had ordered a separate investigation, using officers from out of the area.

A Commissioner asked the witness if there had been political interference with the investigations. The witness said that there had been attempts to do so. When asked if it was possible to name the politicians involved, the witness said he had received information that Hizbullah had tried to influence the investigations.