Journalists barred from Zahran’s widow’s testimony

Even chairs outside taken away

By Rathindra Kuruwita

Widow of National Thowheed Jamaat leader Zahran Hashim, Abdul Cader Fatima Hadiya, testified yesterday before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) investigating the Easter Sunday attacks.

Hadiya began testifying around 11 am. The session however was not open to the media and journalists covering the PCoI had to wait for the next witness.

Journalists were compelled to sit on the staircase near the PCoI entrance as there were no seats for them. Chief Executive Officer of the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall where the Commission its, Sunil Dissanayake confronted the Journalists and asked them to leave the venue.

When journalists asked Dissanayake about where they can wait till the next session commenced, he retorted that although the PCoI sat at the BMICH providing facilities to journalists covering it was none of his concern. Such matters should be taken up with the Secretary of the Commission, Dissanayake said.

When Journalists took up the matter with Secretary of the Commission, Buwaneka Herath, he evaded taking up the issue.

However due to strong protests by journalists chairs were later provided for them.