Court issues notice on former President over Easter Sunday attacks

The Colombo Fort Magistrate today issued notice on former President Maithripala Sirisena, to appear before courts on October 14, after considering a private plaint seeking to name him as an accused of Easter Sunday attacks, for failing to prevent it.

Colombo Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage issued this notice after considering a private plaint submitted by Rev. Father Cyril Gamini and Jesudasan Nadesan, a victim of the Easter Sunday terror attack.

Former President Maithripala Sirisena has been named as a suspect in the plaint filed regarding alleged negligence and failure to prevent the terrorist attacks on April 21, 2019.

On behalf of the petitioners, President’s Counsel Rienzie Arsekularatne presented the facts before the court.

He stated that despite receiving information that a terrorist attack would be carried out on Easter Sunday, as the Defense Minister, then President Maithripala Sirisena had committed an offense under Section 298 of the Penal Code by acting negligently to prevent it.

Accordingly, the President’s Counsel had requested the court to name former President Maithripala Sirisena as a suspect and issue a notice to summon him before the court.

Colombo Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage who accepted the request named former President Maithripala Sirisena as a suspect in the case and issued a notice asking him to appear before the court on October 14th.