Easter Sunday attack: 43 indictments sent out against 93 accused

A total of 43 indictments have so far been sent out against 93 accused in relation to the Easter Sunday attack, the Attorney General’s Department noted.

The main case on the attack is the Trial-at-Bar where 25 accused have been indicted and the trial is in progress. The Trial-at-Bar is headed by High Court Judge Damith Thotawatta and 78 witnesses have so far given evidence.

With regard to senior officers facing allegations over failure to prevent the attacks, AG’s Department sources pointed out that a police Preliminary Inquiring Committee had exonerated Senior Deputy Inspector General (SDIG) Nilantha Jayawardena on two occasions. However, the National Police Commission had disagreed with the recommendations of the committee and served a charge sheet, which SDIG Jayawardena is currently challenging in the Court of Appeal. The case is still pending.

The Commission of Inquiry headed by Supreme Court Justice Janak De Silva had recommended a disciplinary inquiry against Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon. An inquiry was duly held and IGP Tennakoon was exonerated. There are seven Fundamental Rights applications filed in the Supreme Court against Mr. Tennakoon’s appointment as IGP. The Commission's recommendation has been cited as one of the objections to Mr. Tennakoon’s appointment. Mr. Tennakoon has replied in his objections that he has been exonerated at the disciplinary inquiry.

Meanwhile, President Ranil Wickremesinghe has appointed a three-member committee headed by retired Supreme Court Justice S.I. Imam to probe allegations levelled by Azard Maulana, a former Private Secretary to Parliamentarian Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias “Pillayan,” on a programme telecast on Britain’s Channel 4 on the Easter Sunday attacks and a “mastermind.”

Investigations have also begun on the recent claims made by former President Maithripala Sirisena regarding the Easter Sunday attack. The AG’s Department is still to get the investigative dossier on this latest claim, the sources added.