Sirisena challenges summons from MC with writ petition in Court of Appeal

… rejects any responsibility over Easter carnage

By A.J.A Abeynayaka

Former President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday (30) filed a writ petition in the Court of Appeal challenging the summons issued by the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court in connection with the Easter Sunday terror attacks.

Colombo Fort Magistrate, Thilina Gamage, on September 16, issued notice on former President Sirisena after naming him a suspect in the Easter Sunday attacks. Sirisena was asked to appear before the Court on 14 October.

Sirisena yesterday said that he was not responsible for the Easter Sunday terror attacks. Therefore, it was unjust to serve him with a summons. Sirisena’s lawyers have named the Registrar of the Colombo Fort Magistrate as a respondent.The Court decision emanates from a petition filed by Jesuraj Ganesan and Fr. Cyril Gamini. Ganesan lost his leg in the Easter Sunday attacks of 2019 carried out by Islamic extremists.

The two petitioners have alleged that the negligence of Sirisena, as the executive President and the Minister of Defence, led to the attacks. President’s Counsel Rienzie Arsekularatne with counsel Thejitha Koralage, Udara Muhandiramge and Thilina Punchihewa, appearing for the petitioners, asked Magistrate Gamage to name Sirisena as a suspect and issue notice under section 298 of the Penal Code.