FMR. PRESIDENT INFLUENCED CID INVESTIGATIONS

PCOI on Easter Sunday attacks

Pressure had been brought upon Investigation Officers by the former President Maithripala Sirisena, when certain arrests were made, specially related to Army officers and conducting investigations during the former Government’s period, former Law and Order Minister Sagala Ratnayaka informed the PCOI probing the Easter Sunday attacks.

Testifying before the Commission Ratnayaka said that when the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) made certain arrests, the former President had called for meetings with the investigation officers together with him, at the Presidential Secretariat and blamed them.“the former President had berated the investigation officers on making certain arrests and pressure was brought upon them during these meetings which were held at the Presidential Secretariat, ”he said.

Ratnayaka said that the above reason was the main issue for his resignation as the Law and Order Minister and he had requested former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to provide him with a different portfolio.

“I don’t want to discuss these matters at the Commission premises; but since the Commissioners were questioning, I wish to provide an answer.the Army officers were arrested as suspects of murder cases and the investigation officers did so after having obtained the Attorney General’s approval ”he said.

The witness further added that National Security Council (NSC) was not operated in a proper manner during the former Government’s period and it directly affected the country’s National Security.