Foreign intel conveyed to then STF Chief Latiff

Former STF Commandant SDIG M.R. Latiff was informed about foreign intelligence on a possible terror attack, both in writing and verbally, former IGP Pujith Jayasundara yesterday informed the PCOI probing Easter Sunday attacks.

Earlier, testifying before the Commission SDIG Latiff said he had not been informed of such intelligence reports received from a foreign counterpart verbally and it was not acceptable. However, Mr. Jayasundara said he had received the foreign intelligence from SIS on April 9, 2019 and he had forwarded it to four senior Police officers including SDIG Latiff. “I sent the written document on the foreign intelligence and even called Mr. Latiff to inform this. During that time I was confident that SDIG Latiff could take appropriate action in this regard,” he said. The Commissioners also questioned the former IGP as to why he did not instruct the senior Police officers regarding measures to be taken on foreign intelligence.

Mr. Jayasundara said he could not do so because of the former ‘Yahapalana’ government’s reconciliation process and political environment.