Former State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene informed the Presidential Commission of Inquiry probing the 2019 April Attacks on Thursday (24), during the Intelligence Coordination Meetings he attended, former SIS Director Senior DIG Nilantha Jayawardena had never informed the need to have National Thowheed Jamaath Leader Zahran Hashim arrested.
However, a representative from the Attorney General’s department showed several documents shared by the former SIS Director mentioning to take necessary action to arrest Zahran.
After referring the documents the witness said he could not recall anything regarding the need to arrest Zahran being discussed at the Intelligence Coordination Meetings.
Wijewardene also said he was not invited to Intelligence Coordination Meetings between December 2018 and April 23, 2019.
Witness added at the National Security Council (NSC) meetings and Intelligence Review Meetings, there were issues between former Senior DIG Nilantha Jayawardena and former TID director Nalaka Silva regarding the intelligence.
He added there was a disparity in the facts shared through presentations regarding extremism by the former SIS Director at the NSC meetings and the presentations submitted to the Commission.
