Sirisena, others pay part of compensation to Easter Sunday carnage victims

By A.J.A. Abeynayake

Former President Maithripala Sirisena through his attorneys had filed a motion before the Supreme Court, seeking further time to pay the remaining sum of Rs. 85 million as compensation to the victims of the Easter Sunday terror attacks (2019).

The motion said that Sirisena had paid Rs. 15 million to the Office for Reparations as per the judgment delivered by the Supreme Court on 12 Jan. 2022.

It said that Sirisena would pay the remaining sum of Rs. 85 million in 10 equal installments of Rs. 8,500,000 per annum commencing from 30 June 2024 and ending on 30 June 2033.

Meanwhile, former IGP Pujith Jayasundara settled Rs.1.75 million from a total of Rs. 75 million.

Former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando settled Rs.1 million out of his total compensation settlement of Rs. 50 million.

Former National Intelligence Director Sisira Mendis has settled Rs.5 million from his total sum of Rs.10 million.

However, former State Intelligence Services Chief Nilantha Jayawardena is yet to provide any payments from his sum of Rs. 75 million in compensation.

The verdict was issued after 12 petitions filed by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, the families of the victims of the attacks, Catholic priests and several others were heard before a seven-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya.