The Attorney General has directed Acting IGP Chandana Wickremaratne to initiate a criminal investigation into former Defence Ministry Secretary Hemasiri Fernando.

The criminal investigation will look into failures on the part of the Defence Ministry Secretary in relation to security lapses leading tio the Easter Sunday explosions.

Testifying before the Parliamentary Select Committee probing the matter, Fernando denied any failure on his part.

He indicated that President Maithripala Sirisena, who is also the Cabinet Minister of Defence, who did not pay due attention to the imminent terrorist threats.

The Attorney General has also directed the Acting IGP to initiate disciplinary and criminal action against nine senior police officers, including three DIGs.over the Easter Sunday attacks.