Pujith & Hemasiri further remanded

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Pujith Jayasundara, who was sent on compulsory leave, and former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando have been further remanded until 23rd of December.

The Colombo Additional Magistrate Priyantha Liyanage delivered the order when the two defendants were produced before the court today (17).

The duo was arrested for allegedly committing a criminal offence by failing to prevent the coordinated terror bombings on Easter Sunday this year, even after receiving forewarnings on the attacks.

Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris, who represented the Attorney General, informed the Additional Magistrate that statements have been recorded from three former IGPs, four DIGs and former Minister Ranjith Maddumabandara with regard to the incident.

The Deputy Solicitor General further stated that the Attorney General has instructed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to record statements from former President Maithripala Sirisena, former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Speaker of Parliament Karu Jayasuriya, several former Muslim ministers and His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith.

Considering the submissions, the Additional Magistrate ordered to further remand Fernando and Jayasundara until December 23. The CID was ordered to brief the court on the progress of the investigations on that day.