Sirisena asked to make ‘full and honest’ disclosure regarding Easter Sunday carnage

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka ( BASL) has urged former President Maithripala Sirisena to make what it called a full and honest disclosure of any sensitive information he possessed.

The following is the text of statement issued by BASL yesterday (3) regarding the former President’s remarks relating to the investigations into the Easter Sunday carnage: BASL expresses its deep concern regarding the recent statement by former President Maithripala Sirisena concerning his alleged knowledge of the perpetrators behind the horrific Easter Sunday attacks of 2019.

This statement, coupled with the ongoing lack of accountability for these heinous acts, raises serious questions about the security lapses that led to the deaths of innocent civilians.

The BASL reiterates its commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice for the victims. In this spirit, the BASL filed a Fundamental Rights application, against the former President, other members of the leadership, and senior officials for their failure to discharge their fundamental duties towards the people of our country.

This and several other similar applications filed by stakeholders were successfully concluded, with their Lordships of the Supreme Court finding the former President and other Respondents in the case, guilty of violating the fundamental rights of the people, by neglecting their primary duties in failing to prevent the April 2019 bombings which killed and injured hundreds of people, despite receiving intelligence ahead of the attack.

Their Lordships also ordered former President Maithripala Sirisena, four other officials, and the State to pay compensation totaling 311 million rupees to victims, with President Sirisena being ordered to pay Rs.100 million of the said compensation.

However, the BASL remains deeply concerned by the apparent nonchalance surrounding the broader investigation into the Easter Sunday attacks. The lack of justice for the victims and the continued absence of a clear understanding of why these attacks occurred are a stain on our nation.

The BASL urges the relevant authorities to bring all those responsible to justice. The victims’ families deserve closure, and Sri Lanka requires a clear understanding of these events to prevent future tragedies.

To this end, the BASL urges the former President to make a full and honest disclosure of any sensitive information he possesses. Withholding such information, in a responsible manner befitting a former head of state would constitute a serious obstruction of justice.

Whilst carefully following the recent developments, the BASL will not hesitate to intervene whenever and wherever such intervention is required, if there is any impediment to the rule of law.”