CID moves against 10 MPs over Easter attack claims

The Attorney General’s Department has authorised the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to record statements from 10 Opposition MPs, including Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, over allegations made in Parliament linking former State Intelligence Service (SIS) chief retired Major General Suresh Sallay to the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks.

The MPs had made the allegations during proceedings in Parliament. As the statements were made within the parliamentary chamber, they are covered by parliamentary privileges and any statements obtained from the MPs must be given voluntarily and with their full cooperation.

The CID is to inquire into the sources of information on which the MPs based their allegations, amid indications that the statements may have been based on information considered credible.

Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris has instructed the CID to obtain and analyse the relevant Hansard records before seeking voluntary statements from the MPs.

Meanwhile, the verdict in the case against 24 accused over the Easter Sunday attacks is scheduled to be delivered next Tuesday (22) by a three-member Colombo High Court Bench.

Sallay, who is being held under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), has been receiving inpatient treatment at the Colombo National Hospital for nearly 100 days.

Fort Magistrate Pasan Amaraseena has ordered the Director of the Colombo National Hospital to appear before court on September 22 after a medical report on Sallay’s health condition was not submitted as directed.