The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has informed the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court that investigations have uncovered information indicating that certain sections of Sri Lanka’s military intelligence and State Intelligence Service had prior information about the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks but allegedly failed to share it with other security agencies.
The submissions were made when the case involving former State Intelligence Service Director Major General Suresh Salley and other suspects was taken up before Colombo Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena.
Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris, appearing for the prosecution, said investigators were examining whether certain individuals within military intelligence had deliberately withheld information despite warnings about extremists linked to the attacks.
The prosecution told court that investigators had recorded a statement from an intelligence source who had provided information to the First Military Intelligence Corps in Vavuniya. According to the prosecution, the source had been providing information about extremists since 2014 and had also provided specific information on the day before the Easter Sunday attacks.
The prosecution alleged that the information was not communicated to other security agencies. Investigators are also examining whether an organized group within military intelligence failed to act on information concerning Zahran Hashim and others linked to the attacks.
The prosecution also referred to intelligence reportedly held by the State Intelligence Service. Court was informed that a list containing the names of 94 individuals allegedly linked to extremist activities had been submitted to the State Intelligence Service, and that the list included Zahran Hashim and individuals currently facing charges in connection with the Easter attacks.
Investigations are also continuing into the Vavunathivu attack and the events in Sainthamaruthu on April 26, 2019. The prosecution said investigators were examining whether individuals could have been taken alive during the Sainthamaruthu incident to obtain information relevant to the attacks.
Meanwhile, President’s Counsel Shavindra Fernando, appearing for Suresh Salley, rejected the prosecution’s allegations, arguing that many of the matters presented to court were allegations rather than evidence.
The court also considered issues concerning Salley’s continued hospitalization. The Director of the National Hospital has been ordered to appear before court on September 22 to explain why court-ordered medical reports concerning Salley had not been submitted.
The case was adjourned until September 22.
Source: Ceylonwire News
