• Urges Govt. to appoint committee on a ‘whistleblower’ in the doc 

Leader of the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya Udaya Gammanpila called on the Government to initiate an investigation to uncover the identity of an individual who claimed to be a retired Government official in the United Kingdom’s Channel 4 documentary on the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings that alleged possible involvement of the Sri Lankan intelligence services in the attacks.

Speaking at a press conference held yesterday (28), Gammanpila presented findings from an investigation conducted by a committee appointed by the previous administration, led by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe. This committee was chaired by retired Supreme Court Justice S.I. Imam and included former Air Force Commander Air Marshal (retired) Jayalath Weerakkody, and President’s Counsel Harsha Soza. Gammanpila emphasised that the committee members were individuals with reputable backgrounds, free from allegations.

“The Government should not insult me. Instead, they should find out the identity of the person who appeared in that documentary claiming himself to be a top Government official,” Gammanpila asserted. He challenged the National People’s Power Government to establish a similar committee to identify and investigate the said individual who appeared in the documentary, accusing the country’s intelligence services of complicity in the attacks. Gammanpila added that if the individual in question in the documentary holds a significant position in the Government, he should be suspended immediately and that appropriate actions should be taken. He speculated that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake might be withholding the report to prevent the truth from emerging, stating: “There is a possibility that the President is concealing the report to avoid acknowledging that he appointed someone who falsely accused the intelligence agencies to a high position in the Government.”

He further called upon anyone disputing the findings of Justice Imam’s committee to challenge the report legally, instead of questioning the integrity of the committee. “If anyone believes that the findings are wrong, he or she should file a case at the Court of Appeal without insulting the committee members,” he remarked, defending the credibility of the investigation.

The reports under discussion, commissioned by Wickremesinghe, examine the alleged involvement of local intelligence agencies in the 2019 bombings, and address accusations highlighted in Channel 4’s documentary. Two committees investigated the claims, led by retired High Court Judge A.N.J. De Alwis and Justice Imam, respectively.

Last week, Gammanpila disclosed details from the report by De Alwis et al., revealing its recommendation for action against former senior Police officials including retired Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police and incumbent Public Security Ministry Secretary Ravi Seneviratne.

In response, Government Spokesperson and Public Security Minister Vijitha Herath stated that the Government rejects these findings and has launched a comprehensive investigation into the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks, including reviewing the reports unveiled by Gammanpila.

Attempts made to contact Herath, the Secretary to the Defense Ministry and Seneviratne proved futile. 

Meanwhile, Gammanpila challenged Herath to substantiate the allegations of misconduct against De Alwis. Gammanpila questioned the credibility of the accusations made by Herath, calling for transparency in the discourse surrounding De Alwis. He asserted, “Anyone can make accusations, but, if an accusation is made, it must be proven with evidence. That’s why I challenged Herath to present evidence of De Alwis’s alleged misconduct at the next Government press conference.” He further criticised the Government’s stance on the committee’s findings, highlighting a lack of response to his concerns regarding the De Alwis committee report. “The Government, especially its Media Spokesperson, has yet to address the specific content of the De Alwis committee report, which we made public on 21 October. Instead, they focus on discrediting committee members,” Gammanpila added.  

Gammanpila further stated: “Herath has been accused of drunk driving, and questions have been raised about a significant building project in Narahenpita. Who can’t make accusations? But, they require proof.” With another Cabinet press conference scheduled for today (29), Gammanpila urged journalists to question Herath for clarity on the evidence supporting these claims. He alleged that dismissing the committee’s findings by tarnishing its members’ reputations has become “the policy and practice of the Government”.