Pujith and Hemasiri to be named as suspects in Easter attacks

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Pujith Jayasundara and former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando are to be named as suspects in the Easter Sunday attacks.

Attorney General Dappula De Livera has directed Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) C.D. Wickramaratne to produce Jayasundara and Fernando in court over criminal negligence related to the Easter Sunday attacks.

Pujith Jayasundara was the IGP at the time of the attacks and Hemasiri Fernando was the Defence Secretary.

It was reported that intelligence information had been communicated to the IGP and then Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando, warning of suicide attacks on Easter Sunday, yet the information had not been acted upon.

President Maithripala Sirisena had also been reportedly informed but he strongly denied receiving such intelligence information.

Subsequently the President sought the resignation of the IGP and Defence Secretary and while the Defence Secretary resigned the IGP refused to step down.

The IGP was then sent on compulsory leave and an acting IGP was appointed.

The IGP has however challenged the decision to send him on compulsory leave through a fundamental rights petition in court. (Colombo Gazette)