PSC uncovers new info on Easter Sunday bombings

The Parliament Select Committee appointed to investigate the 21 April bombings convened for a special session this morning at the Parliament Complex.

Deputy Speaker of House Ananda Kumarasiri has been appointed as the Chairman of the committee which comprises of eight members.

This morning’s session was presided over by Parliamentarian Jayampathy Wickramaratne.

The members of the committee questioned the Secretary to the Minister Defense Shantha Kottegoda extensively during the session.

Defense Secretary Shantha Kottegoda detailed the process of the National Security Council and activities of the National Intelligence Units.

The Defence Secretary added the first intelligence information pertaining to the existence of extremist groups in Sri Lanka was revealed in 2014.

He claimed if action had been taken since then the Easter Sunday attacks could have been prevented.

He said though information was revealed early on the organizations in question were not banned, adding he believes if they had been banned it could have prevented the situation from escalating to this magnitude.

Kottegoda said as far as he is aware Intelligence Units knew of such activity from 2014, adding he also believed they had informed relevant parties.

However the Defence Secretary stressed it is unknown to him as to whether officials acted upon information at the time.

He said noted the previous Secretary of Defence will be able to provide an answer to the relevant question.

When asked about accusations on the arrest of intelligence officers, Defence Secretary Shantha Kottegoda noted that the entire State Intelligence Service will not be weakened by the arrest of one or two officers.

He stressed current Intelligence Units are not weakened, however adding that Intelligence Units can be further developed and strengthened.

Defense Secretary Shantha Kottegoda stated an intelligence unit does not weaken simply because one or two individuals are removed from it.

He explained that if someone passes away in any institution then the whole organisation would be ruined.

Kottegoda stressed that individuals must be trained to fill vacancies.