The former President makes counterclaims and seeks compensation from the victims of the Katuwapitiya bomb blast.

September 12, 2022

In filing a counterclaim before Negombo District Court, former President Maithripala Sirisena has claimed compensation from the plaintiffs who filed lawsuits against him in connection with the suicide bomb blast that took place at St. Sebastian's Catholic Church in Katuwapitiya, Negombo.

In his counterclaim, the former President is claiming compensation from the plaintiffs for instituting legal action against him without reasonable cause.

The victims of those who died and injured during the suicide bomb blast that took place at St Sebastian's Catholic Church in Katuwapitiya had filed several lawsuits before Negombo District Court claiming compensation from former President Maithripala Sirisena, then Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, former Defence Ministry Secretary Hemasiri Fernando, former IGP Pujith Jayasundara and former Chief of State Intelligence Service Nilantha Jayawardhane.

Former President Maithripala Sirisena had raised preliminary objections challenging the maintainability of these lawsuits on several grounds.

The former President has moved the court to reject these lawsuits on the basis that they do not disclose a cause of action in terms of section 46(2)(d) of the Civil Procedure Code.

In his preliminary objections, the former President has rejected the allegations made by the plaintiffs that he acted in an irresponsible manner, neglecting public security.

He further stated that the President was immune to judicial process in respect of anything done or omitted to be done by him either in his official or private capacity in terms of Article 35 (1) of the constitution and, thereby, legal action could not have proceeded against him.