Sirisena’s remarks on Easter Sunday attacks raise further controversies

Former President Maithripala Sirisena’s remarks on his knowledge about those responsible for the Easter Sunday attack has sparked off widespread speculation about the motives of the statement.

Sirisena left the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) today evening after giving a statement over his remarks. The statement was recorded over five and half hours.

The former President arrived and left though a rear entrance of the CID. His party supporters waited outside the CID Headquarters.

The contents of his statement to the CID was not known immediately, but political parties and activist have commented on his claim.

A key question raised by political parties is the delay made by Sirisena to disclose the information which he reportedly had.

“Even if he says that he received the information three weeks back, what was he doing with the information for so long”, SJP MP Dr Kavinda Jayawardena questioned.

He said that CID should arrest the former President over his statement.

SLPP MP Wasantha Bandara said that the former President has violated the Penal Code by concealing information he had with him.

"The former President is answerable under the law and therefore should be arrested", he said.

Leader of the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya and MP Udaya Gammanpila said that the former President Sirisena could be charged under the Prevention of Terrorism Act for failure to provide information about a terrorist attack.

SJB MP S.M. Marikkar said that he believed that the statement was politically motivated, with the elections ahead.

Spokesman for the Catholic Church Rev Fr Jude Krishantha said that the former President should make it public as to who was responsible for the attack.

Meanwhile, there has been widespread speculation that the former President’s statement was linked to the upcoming elections.

Hower, Inspector General of Police Deshabandu Tennakoon said that the future action would be based on what the former President discloses to the CID.

Meanwhile Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said that under a future government under his leadership he would carry a full inquiry about the Easter Sunday attack.