IGP and former Defence Secretary court case: Officials to provide statements

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Inspector General of Police Pujth Jayasundara who is on compulsory leave and former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando have been further remanded until January 6th. The duo were remanded after they were produced before the Colombo Additional Magistrate Priyantha Liyanage. Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris, on behalf of the Attorney General, stated that although the President, Prime Minister and a number of other special individuals including the Speaker had been given the opportunity to make statements regarding the April 21st attack, dates have not been scheduled yet. The Deputy Solicitor General informed the court that if a date is not set, they will report the matter to the court and request an order. He also stated that he expects to receive statements from former ministers Rishad Bathiudeen and Rauf Hakeem in the future. Meanwhile, MP Rauff Hakeem was questioned on this matter by journalists, following the Party Leader's meeting that took place in Parliament. MP Rauff Hakeem stated that they are prepared to make a statement if required. Journalist: Do you reject these allegations? "I completely reject them. I have no connection to terrorism or anything of the sort. We can see that there is an effort to use certain media networks to attack Muslim political leaders up until the upcoming General elections. If they do that it is clearly an effort to separate the Muslim people and I see that as a tragedy that will be placed upon this country. We deplore this campaign."