• Criminal charges should be filed against Ravi Seveviratne and Shani Abeysekara
• Maithripala Sirisena was exonerated
• Allegations against Ranil Wickremesinghe and Suresh Sallay hasn’t discussed

The report of the committee headed by retired High Court Judge A.N.J. de Alwis on Easter Sunday terror attacks in 2019, was published by former MP Udaya Gammanpila today (21).

The report, prepared by a committee led by retired High Court Judge A. N. J. de Alwis, retired SLAS officer K. N. K. Somaratne, and attorney-at-law W. M. A. N. Nishane, was submitted on 14 September 2024, following an investigation into the failures of the Police, the State Intelligence Service (SIS), the Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI) and the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).

The committee was appointed by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe on 12 June 2024.

Key officials named in the report

The report specifically names retired SDIG Ravi Seneviratne who is the current Public Security Ministry Secretary and then CID Chief and Shani Abeysekara, then CID Director, for their negligence in handling intelligence related to the attacks. The report says that despite receiving critical warnings, the CID did not undertake comprehensive investigations, nor did it implement adequate preventive measures. The committee calls for criminal charges against both officials under the Penal Code.

The investigation also identified Nilantha Jayawardena, former Director of the State Intelligence Service (SIS), as a key figure whose actions were deemed inadequate. Although he disseminated intelligence to law enforcement and other relevant bodies, the committee found that his efforts to ensure a coordinated and effective response were insufficient. The report recommends that Jayawardena face legal action for failing to act decisively to prevent the attacks.

Sisira Mendis, retired DIG and former Chief of National Intelligence (CNI), was criticized for failing to coordinate effectively between intelligence agencies. The committee found that Mendis did not take necessary steps to follow up on the intelligence, nor did he ensure a cohesive strategy was in place. The report advises criminal prosecution for his role in the breakdown of intelligence coordination.

The report also scrutinizes the conduct of Hemasiri Fernando, former Secretary of Defence Ministry, for not acting promptly on the intelligence. Despite receiving credible warnings, Fernando failed to facilitate a National Security Council (NSC) meeting or take other proactive measures to mitigate the threat. His lack of a timely response, according to the report, played a significant role in the intelligence failure. Criminal charges are recommended against him for his negligence.

The report holds Pujith Jayasundara, former Inspector General of Police (IGP), accountable for his insufficient response to the intelligence. Despite being informed of the possibility of an attack, his actions were limited to delegating tasks to a special team, without personally ensuring a thorough follow-up. The committee found that his reliance on subordinates, amid a strained relationship with then-President Maithripala Sirisena, compromised his duty to act in the public interest. The report recommends that Jayasundara face prosecution under the Penal Code for his failure to adequately address the threat.

Suspended IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon, who was then DIG – Colombo North is also named in the report. The report recommended criminal prosecution and disciplinary action against him, echoing the findings of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI), for his role in the failures to act on the intelligence regarding the Easter Sunday attacks.

Sirisena, Wickremesinghe and Sallay

Interestingly, the report exonerated former President Maithripala Sirisena from allegations that he was aware of the intelligence, despite a Supreme Court ruling that ordered him to pay compensation of Rs 100 million for failing to prevent the attacks. The committee's findings contradict other inquiries that suggested Sirisena had been informed but did not take effective action to protect the public. While no criminal action was recommended against Sirisena, the report noted that lapses within the intelligence apparatus during his tenure were significant factors in the failures.

The report made no specific recommendations regarding then Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, noting that he was excluded from the Supreme Court case because of his immunity as President at the time. His role, however, was not a focal point in the committee's findings.

Furthermore, the report has not addressed allegations against Suresh Sallay, an officer in the Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI), who was named in a Channel 4 documentary suggesting he had links to the attackers. The committee did not explore these claims or include Sallay in its recommendations, raising concerns about the thoroughness of the investigation.

Moreover,  the report emphasized the need for a legislative framework to govern intelligence operations. It proposed enacting an Intelligence Act to formalize intelligence-sharing procedures and establish clear lines of accountability. The committee also suggested reforms to improve the coordination between intelligence agencies and law enforcement, aiming to prevent similar lapses in the future.

Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) Leader Udaya Gammanpila said that he would hand over two reports on the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks to the government if it promises to publish them, thereby granting the public access to the reports.

Gammanpila, speaking at a media briefing today (16 October), responded to Minister of Public Security Vijitha Herath's three-day ultimatum for him to submit the allegedly missing reports. Gammanpila noted that although Herath had requested the reports, he had not mentioned anything about publishing them. Therefore, Gammanpila is seeking an assurance that the reports will be made public.

Gammanpila further said he received the two reports on 10 October via post.

The reports in question were prepared by committees headed by S.I. Imam and A.N.J. de Alwis. The S.I. Imam report was submitted to the former president on 25 June 2024, while the A.N.J. de Alwis report was handed over on 14 September 2024. These reports investigated the role of the intelligence services during the Easter Sunday terror attacks and addressed allegations raised in a documentary by the United Kingdom's Channel 4. The committee chaired by retired judge A.N.J. de Alwis specifically examined the intelligence services' involvement in the attacks.

Earlier, Minister Herath claimed that these reports had gone missing. In response, Gammanpila asserted that none of the reports were missing and that he had them in his possession. He warned that if the government does not publish the reports within seven days, he would release them online.

Herath, in turn, responded by saying that Gammanpila should hand over the missing reports to the government within three days if he has them in his possession.

UPFA MP Udaya Gammanpila was granted bail by Fort Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne over the case regarding the alleged use of a forged power of attorney to sell the assets of an Australian named Brian Shaddick.

Gammanpila was released on a cash bail of Rs 25,000 and three sureties of Rs 500,000 each.

The other suspect in the case was released on a cash bail of Rs 15,000 and two sureties of Rs 500,000 each.

They were both banned from foreign travel.

The court observed that using a forged signature of a foreigner was a serious matter and directed that the suspects should not interfere with those who are involved in the case. It was also informed to court that in 2015, Gammanpila had met an individual regarding the case in Australia, and had obtained a signature for an affidavit.

Gammanpila's lawyers gave an undertaking that their client will not contact anyone connected in the case.

UPFA MP and Pivithuru Hela Urumaya General Secretary Udaya Gammanpila has been arrested at his office in Pagoda Rd, Nugegoda.

He was reportedly arrested by the police SIU and is being taken there.

Gammanpila was questioned by the SIU on two occasions for allegedly using a fraudulent power of attorney to sell assets in Sri Lanka which belonged to Brian Shaddick of Western Australia.

Gammanpila had filed a Fundamental Rights petition seeking an order to prevent his arrest. He alleged the said complaints by Brian Shaddick and his Power of Attorney Lasitha Perera are fabricated.

The Fundamental Rights petition filed by Pivithuru Hela Urumaya General Secretary Udaya Gammanpila was fixed for support on June 23 by the Supreme Court.

Gammanpila filed this petition on June 9, seeking an order to prevent him being arrested by the police Special Investigations Unit.

Through his petition, Gammanpila said that two complaints have been filed by an Australian named Brian Shaddick and his Power of Attorney Lasitha Perera with the SIU against him on false basis.

He added that this was done under influence by associates of Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka, who is a political rival.

Gammanpila also requests Rs 500 million as damages to his good name caused by the allegations.

Seven respondents including SSP of the police SIU, Shaddick, Lasitha Perera and the AG have been named in the petition.

Gammanpila was questioned by the SIU on two days following the submission of the petition.

Pivithuru Hela Urumaya General Secretary Udaya Gammanpila today said that he was not engaged in a project to form a new political party.

Speaking at a press conference, Gammanpila said that the Sri Lanka Freedom Party members who are opposed to President Sirisena's policy of surrendering the party to the UNP were planning to form a new party.

The Pivithuru Hela Urumaya is engaged in an attempt to form a new alliance as an alternative to the United People's Freedom Alliance, which is now a dying entity, Gammanpila added.

However, the official launch of the new alliance has been postponed indefinitely, he added, saying that it will be formed once the government calls for the Local Government Elections which are long overdue.

He expressed confidence in former President Mahinda Rajapaksa accepting the leadership of this new alliance.

The Keselwatte Police have launched an investigation on Pivithuru Hela Urumaya General Secretary Udaya Gammanpila for alleged contempt of the court, the police today said filing a B report with the Colombo Chief Magistrate Gihan Pilapitiya.

The investigation is being conducted on a complaint filed by Amila Indika, a lawyer, on a statement by Gammanpila on January 11.

Accordingly, Gammanpila criticized the court decision to grant bail to UNP MP Hirunika Premachndra hours after her arrest last Saturday. This could be a punishable offense under Section 55 (2) of the Judicator Act, the report said.

Pivithuru Hela Urumaya General Secretary Udaya Gammanpila launched his 'Black Flag Week' against the government by updating his profile picture on Facebook.

Furthermore, his cover photo has also been changed to announce the Black Flag Week between January 2 to January 8.

Meanwhile, the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya Facebook Page has also been changed into a black flag in a yellow background, similar to the one used by Gammanpila.

However, Gammanpila is yet to receive widespread support for the movement. An hour after he changed his profile picture, even Madhu Madhawa Aravinda, who is a key member of the PHU, was yet to change his profile picture. Aravinda was seen active on Facebook after Gammanpila's move.

Although almost 500 'likes' were received by Gammanpila's profile picture within one hour, only a handful of them joined him in changing their profile pictures. Meanwhile, none of the key members of the 'Joint Opposition' had joined him within the first hour of his campaign.

Gammanpila recently requested the public to hoist black flags in houses, shops and vehicles from January 2 to January 8, as a mark of protest against the government. He asked them to at least change their profile picture to a black flag, if they were afraid to hoist a flag at the residences or on their vehicles.

Pivithuru Hela Urumaya General Secretary Udaya Gammanpila today requested the public to hoist black flags in houses, shops and vehicles from January 2 to January 8, as a mark of protest against the government.

Addressing a media conference this morning at PHU headquarters, Gammanpila said that January 8 marks the beginning of the darkest era in Sri Lankan history.

He requested the public to at least use a black flag as the Facebook profile picture to protest against the government, if they were feeling uncomfortable in hoisting a black flag in residences or vehicles.

The present government has taken the country in a dangerous path, compromising national security and traditional values, he added. Some of the former supporters of the government have become serious critics due to their policies, he also maintained.

Pivithuru Hela Urumaya leader Udaya Gammanpila said that he has taken a firm decision not to contest under the UPFA if President Maithripala Sirisena leads it at the forthcoming Local Government Election.

Speaking at a PHU media conference in Colombo today, Gammanpila said that the UPFA experienced what could happen under Sirisena's leadership on August 17.

Recalling a statement by Albert Einstein, Gammanpila said that one has to be insane to expect a different result under the same set of conditions. Therefore, he will not fall in the same trap again, Gammanpila said.

He also said that it was the responsibility of the SLFP to take a decision on Sirisena's party leadership. However, popular leaders of the party say that the SLFP cannot win elections under the leadership of Sirisena, Gammanpila also remarked.

If Sirisena truly wants the SLFP to succeed, he has to resign from the party leadership, Gammanpila also observed.