Speaker issues a communique on special committee probing 04/21 attacks

Colombo (News 1st): The office of the speaker issued a communique clarifying facts on the statement made by President Maithripala Sirisena regarding the special committee appointed to inquire into the 04/21 attacks. The communique notes that a letter sent by the Secretary of the President to the Attorney General was directed to the Speaker. It states that certain revelations made at the special committee inquiring into the 04/21 attacks are affecting the investigations conducted into the incident and adds that the members of the committee have been informed to be vigilant about this. The communique adds that the letter spoken of by the President before the media is an order by the President and this should be stated by the Speaker. It also says that the letter sent by the President should be presented to parliament based on its relevance to the proceedings. It added that there is no requirement to submit to parliament the letter sent by the Secretary to the President regarding the special committee inquiring into the 04/21 attacks. The communique adds that the law requires an official to obey when parliament summons them and that officials are well aware of the consequences of failing to do so.