340 reports submitted seeking Zaharan's arrest; Ex-SIS Chief Testifies in Court

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka's Former State Intelligence Chief & Senior DIG Nilantha Jayawardena testified that he submitted approximately 340 reports to secure the arrest of Zaharan Hashim and other religious extremists from 2015 to 2019.

The Senior Police Officer testified at the Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar in the case filed against Ex-Police Chief Pujith Jayasundara and Ex-Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando, who are charged with failing to prevent the 2019 April 21st Terror Attacks.

The examination of evidence, in this case, commenced in the presence of Justices Namal Balalle, Aditya Patabendige, and Mohamed Irshadeen on Tuesday (23).

In his testimony, the Former State Intelligence Chief Nilantha Jayawardena said that he produced approximately 340 reports to the then-Defence Secretary, Inspector General of Police, the Director of the Criminal Investigations Department, and other senior officers and in writing requested for the immediate arrest of Zaharan Hashim and his accomplices.

The Senior DIG told the court that until the 2019 April 21st Attacks took place, no action was taken with respect to these reports.

DIG Nilantha Jayawardena told the court that he gathered intelligence regarding the Wanathawilluwa Weapons Cache and the damages caused to statues in Mawanella, and based on the intelligence he also provided the names and addresses of Zahran Hashim and the other religious extremists.

He also said that he repeatedly informed the Ministers in-charge of Police at the Security Council meetings chaired by the then-President.