President refutes reports on being given prior warnings of terror attacks

President Maithripala Sirisela has refuted reports that he was informed regarding the intelligence warnings which were issued prior to the Easter Sunday attacks.

Issuing a press release, the President's Media Division said that no prior warning was given by any official to the President regarding the terrorist attacks even during a monthly security meeting on April 08 which was attended by the IGP and senior police officers.

The release also disputed remarks made by the State Intelligence Chief who testifed before the Parliamentary Sitting Committee probing into the Easter Sunday attacks, yesterday (May 30).

Intelligence Chief Sisira Mendis yesterday told the Sitting Committee that the National Security Council had not met since February this year and that the matter regarding the Easter Sunday attacks had not been discussed.

According to the President's Media Division, a National Security Committee had been formed instead of a National Security Council since matters which were discussed during Council meetings were unofficially being reported through the media.

"The National Security Committee convened twice a week while the President too occassionally attended the meeting once a week," the release from the President's office pointed out.

Further, the President also stated that he was not informed regarding the intelligence warnings issued by a "friendly state", by the Defence Secretary, IGP, or any other official.