Ex-IGP says requests to attend son's wedding turned down three times

Former IGP Jayasundara in his testimony to the Presidential Commission of Inquiry probing the 2019 April 21st Attacks said he made written requests to the Justice Ministry, the Court, and the Commissioner-General of Prisons to attend his son's wedding which took place on the 02nd of January 2020.

He said the requests were turned down and eventually the Commissioner General of Prisons proposed for the signing ceremony to take place in his office, however, the Former Police Chief had maintained a position that the most important moment in his son's life should not take place in such an environment.

Former IGP Pujith Jayadundara told the Presidential Commission he was extremely upset over the fact, he was not allowed to take part in a moment, which is the dream of every parent.

Jayasundara said he was deprived of the opportunity due to the pressure exerted by various individuals.

Commenting on the report of the Malalgoda Committee appointed by Former President Maithripala Sirisena following the 2019 terror attacks, the Former Police Chief said multiple requests made by him as per the provisions of the Right to Information Act for copies, were turned down.

He told the Presidential Commission an appeal was filed with respect to the matter adding even before the Malalgoda Committee was appointed Former President Sirisena had stated the Ex-IGP and Ex-Defence Secretary must be held responsible for the attacks.

Pujith Jayasundara further said certain incidents that took place during the '52 Day Government' period led to a discord between him and the Former President.

According to his testimony, the deployment of Police Officers for various security operations during the said period, especially in Colombo and its suburbs were not made aware to him as the IGP at the time, or to the Senior DIG In-Charge of the Western Province.

However, only one officer was made aware of these developments, said the Former Police Chief.

In a backdrop where he was not invited to attend the National Security Council meetings, Pujith Jayasundara told the commission he only came to know during the proceedings of the Presidential Commission that Former Senior DIG Ravi Seneviratne was summoned to represent Sri Lanka Police.

When Jayasundara had questioned Ravi Seneviratne, he maintained that he was only summoned to the National Security Council on one occasion alone, said Pujith Jayasundara.