Easter Attacks: CID Probes Calls; Sajin Gives Statement

COLOMBO (News 1st); Former Member of Parliament Sajin de Vass Gunawardena appeared before the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Wednesday (8) morning to provide a statement regarding an investigation into phone calls allegedly received by then-President Maithripala Sirisena from a foreign intelligence service prior to the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks.

Gunawardena arrived at the CID around 9:30 a.m. and left after approximately three and a half hours of questioning.

Speaking to reporters, Gunawardena said:

“They called me in to give a statement regarding a comment made by Maithripala Sirisena about the Easter attacks. As members of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, we worked closely with him. So I gave a statement based on that and now I’m leaving.”

Police confirmed that during the investigation into the relevant phone numbers, analysis reports revealed that calls had also been received from a number belonging to Gunawardena. 

Clarifying the matter, the former MP stated:

“As part of the investigation into the Easter attacks, all phone numbers that contacted Maithripala Sirisena are being examined. One of those numbers was an Indian number I had used. The CID summoned me to verify this.”