Tug of war over investigation files resurfaces

Country faces conundrum with AG’s scheduled retirement and indictments still not being served

By Saman Indrajith and Norman Palihawadane

Public Security Minister Rear Admiral (retd.) Sarath Weerasekera yesterday said that he had called for a comprehensive report from the CID on a recent statement made by Attorney General Dappula de Livera that the investigations into the Easter Sunday attacks were not complete.

Addressing the media after visiting flood victims in Kolonnawa yesterday, Minister  Weerasekera said that he wanted to know on what grounds the Attorney General had made such a statement.

“As far as I know, the CID has submitted eight completed files to indict 32 persons directly linked to the Easter Sunday attacks.

Those files were submitted months ago by the CID officers as we wanted to expedite the legal process. When there was a delay on the part of the AG’s Department, we asked for an explanation. The AG’s response was that he was awaiting the release of the final report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the Easter Sunday attacks to serve indictments. Now, he has said that the investigations by the CID are incomplete.

“I want to know what these files are. The CID Would report back to me within a day and thereafter I will be in a position to reveal more details.”

Asked whether the AG’s retirement would have any adverse effect on the legal process with regard to the prosecution of Easter Sunday suspects, the Minister said: “I do not think so. Only the Attorney General is retiring, not his staff. There will be a successor and the work will continue without any hindrance.”

Attorney General’s Coordinating Officer State Counsel Nishara Jayaratne on Saturday said that the Attorney General wished to inform the public that he was not in a position to presss charges or serve indictments against the Easter Sunday carnage conspirators as the CID files were not complete.