Opposition Leader asks government to stop exerting political influence in CID operations

Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa called on the government to stop exerting political influence in the operations of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).

Calling Sunday's attacks as the "worst attacks in South Asia" Mr Rajapaksa made these remarks in Parliament claiming that influence was being exerted on the CID when dealing with security force personnel and instances of taking them into custody.

Delivering a special address in Parliament, Mr. Rajapaksa questioned as to what the government had done to prevent the occurrence of such attacks despite being given prior notice.

He also said that his recent visit to the St. Anthony’s church in Kotahena was not an attempt to gain political mileage but instead  had been to fulfill a duty as a former leader of this state.

The former President said that his government had always ensured that such attacks did not take place in the country.

While emphasizing that it was the duty of all security forces and the State Intelligence Service to protect the country, Mr. Rajapaksa appreciated the Intelligence Service for giving prior information on the attacks.

However, he lamented that further action had not been taken since then saying ”The government must resign now.

Further he also called on the government to stop exerting political influence on the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to question army soldiers and take them into custody.

Mr. Rajapksa raised a flurry of questions pertaining to the manner in which the National Security Council and the State Intelligence Service had functioned in the recent past.