I will appear before PSC probing Easter attacks - PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe stated that he will testify before the special Parliamentary Select Committee appointed to inquire into the Easter Sunday bombings.

Issuing a special statement, today (12), the Prime Minister says that he too is called before the Committee and that he will reveal everything he knows at the Committee.

Despite many criticisms against the Select Committee, the judiciary has acknowledged the legality of the committee; therefore, he is not afraid to go before the Committee, stated the Prime Minister.

According to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, the measures they took following the attacks ensured that all suspects linked to the attacks are brought before the law within a short period of two months.

“I met with security heads as soon as I received the news of the attacks. I directed them to take action immediately.

Our Ministers worked dedicatedly and tirelessly towards providing relief to the victims and rebuilding damaged property.

Even the parliament has agreed that these activities were carried out properly.”

Prime Minister said that another issue was the miscommunication of intelligence information to the relevant units. Even Security Intelligence Council failed to pay proper attention to the issue, he said.

“We first acted to capture the terrorists and we were successful on that. Then we established the Special Parliamentary Select Committee to probe the lapses of communication of intelligence.

What we need is to lay the foundation so that such an incident doesn’t occur again. We should do this to secure the future of the country and the nation. Otherwise, it is an act of treason.

Therefore, we will discover the truth at the Parliamentary Select Committee. There is also a case filed at the court on this matter. This too will reveal the truth.”

Prime Minister Wickremesinghe says that they will not reveal the truth aiming particular persons or political parties.

In the statement, the Prime Minister further said that they hope to adopt several new laws and regulations combat global terrorism and to work in cooperation with international intelligence units.

The Prime Minister also mentioned the no-confidence motion brought against the government, which was defeated at the parliament. He stated that much information was revealed to the country during the debate of the motion as well.

“Some thought the country would be stuck at a place after such an unexpected tragedy. But we didn’t allow that. Our government continuously carried on the economic, social and development activities. Provided the Samurdhi allowance, title deeds, jobs, houses; commenced programs to rebuild the fallen tourism industry. We didn’t let anything hinder the journey of the government”, said the Prime Minister.

“We achieved this because we all acted together thinking of the country. We have more challenges before us. There are more tasks that need to be expedited. Let’s make those a success as well by working together for the country”, concluded the Prime Minister.