Although the CID has recorded statements from seven people over the alleged election night coup, no statements have so far been recorded from Attorney General Yuwanjana Wanasundara and Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya – two people who are at the centre of the issue.

The talks of an election night coup began with former President Mahinda Rajapaksa allegedly seeking the opinion of the Attorney General on using emergency regulations to retain power while preventing the Elections Commissioner from declaring results of the presidential election which was held on January 08. It was widely reported in some sections of the media that the Attorney General did not comply with the eleventh hour requests made by the former President.

Therefore, the Attorney General’s statement to the CID in this regard is of pivotal importance. So far, the Attorney General, who was largely praised by opposition supporters for not giving into pressure, has not made any media statement in this regard.

The Elections Commissioner, the other person who was at the centre of the controversy, has not been question either. When asked about the matter, the Elections Commissioner said he could not make any public statement on alleged election night coup, without an independent inquiry.

When contacted, no satisfactory answer was given by the CID as to why there is a delay in recording statements from the Attorney General and the Elections Commissioner on the controversy which sent shock waves across the Sri Lankan electorate.

In fact, the Attorney General was the person who gave the green light for the CID to proceed with the investigations.

However, Chief Justice Mohan Peiris and Western Provincial Council member Udaya Gammanpila have already been questioned by the CID on the alleged election night coup.