14 VIPs including Ex-President & Ex-PM noticed by PCoI probing 2019 Terror Attacks

Accordingly, notices were issued to Former President Maithripala Sirisena, Former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Former State Minister of Defense Ruwan Wijewardene, Former Law and Order Ministers Sagala Ratnayaka and General Secretary - Ranjith Madduma Bandara, Former Defence Secretaries Kapila Waidyaratne, Karunasena Hettiarchchi and Hemasiri Fernando, Former IGP Pujith Jayasundara, Former CNI Sisira Mendis, Former Head of TID, Nalaka de Silva, Brigadier Chula Kodithuwakku, Former SDIG - CID Ravi Senevirathne and Director CID Shani Abeysekara had been asked to send legal representatives.

These VIPs are also to give evidence before the PCoI in the future.

Subsequently, Counsel Pulasthi Rupasinghe with Harshana de Silva represented former President Maithripala Sirisena.

Counsel Navoda Wijeratne appeared Former Defence Secretary Karunasena Hettiarchchi and Shanaka Bandara PC appeared for Sisira Mendis.

Anura Meddegoda PC appeared for former IGP Pujith Jayasundara while Counsel Dilshan Jayasuriya represented former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando.

Counsel Upul Kumaraperuma represented former SDIG in charge of CID Ravi Seneviratne and former Director of CID Shani Abeysekara.

Moreover, Former Chief of National Intelligence Sisira Mendis and former CID Director Shani Abeysekara were present at the PCoI in person during the testimony of Former SIS Director Nilantha Jayawardena.

PC Nalinda Indatissa representing former SIS director Nilantha Jayawardena and the Additional Solicitor General who led the evidence requested the Commissioners that the evidence should be taken without the media.

Former SIS Director Nilantha Jayawardena also informed the Commission that he cares deeply about National Security.

He said if the sensitive information which he was going present before the Commission, would be publicized, that would be a threat the National Security and his family.

However, the Commissioners said that around 150 documents, which involved Jayawardena had been marked and discussed in public so that some evidence of former SIS Director could be taken in Camera and while others would be taken before media.