(COLOMBO) – Former Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has been ordered to make a statement in court over the recent explosive remarks made by him on the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks that left more than 265 killed and an equal number or more injured many maimed for life.
Sirisena claimed at a media audience in the country’s hill capital of Kandy some 10 days ago that he was aware of the persons behind the carnage and was willing to disclose the names in camera in courts on conditions that the judges treat such information with utmost confidentially.
Shortly after he made the statement Sirisena was hauled up by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) where he was questioned for nearly five hours.
Sirisena was the Head of State and also of the Armed Forces during the attack that has been blamed on home grown Islamic jihadists and the international terror organization ISIS.
Following a an outcry over his remarks and calls for his immediate arrest the former President then claimed that he was made aware of those behind the attacks some two weeks ago.
A Magistrate in Colombo has ordered that Sirisena should make a statement in court on April 4.
The comments also sparked controversy in the political arena with some accusing the former President of allegedly willfully concealing crucial information regarding the Easter Sunday attacks.
The Sri Lankan Catholic Church has repeatedly said that it was not convinced with the local investigations into the case and has even called for an independent probe with international actors.
