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PM admits to PSC there was a serious lapse

06 Aug, 2019

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe admitted today that there was a serious lapse in information gathering which resulted in the deadly Easter Sunday attacks.

Speaking before the Parliament Select Committee on the Easter Sunday attacks, the Prime Minister said that Sri Lanka received information this year on National Thowheed Jamaath (NTJ) leader Zahran Hashim preparing to carry out suicide attacks from overseas.

Asked if he admits there was a serious lapse where information had to come from a foreign country and not local intelligence agencies, the Prime Minister admitted there was a serious lapse.

The Prime Minister also said that steps have been taken to strengthen security in the country following the Easter Sunday attacks.

Asked about recent arrests the Prime Minister said that the suspects arrested recently are not directly linked to the Easter Sunday attacks.

However, he said that anyone who had links to the Easter Sunday bombers are now being arrested as a precaution.

The Prime Minister also noted that the teachings of Zahran Hashim had not only influenced a few people in Sri Lanka but also some in South India. (Colombo Gazette)

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