'We don't tap phones & never paid Zaharan' - Defence Secretary

COLOMBO (News 1st); Defence Secretary Gen. Kamal Gunaratne has assured that military or intelligence services DO not engage in wiretapping.

Speaking during an online media briefing, the Defence Secretary said Sri Lanka does not possess the equipment necessary for wiretapping and only assists legal action by the court, on information, given that a court order is issued for such purpose.

Responding to a question on allegations that terrorist Zaharan Hashim was paid by the state, the Defence Secretary dismissed those claims noting that he launched an investigation on the matter, proving that the allegations were false and baseless.

He said there are attempts being made to label the president as the mastermind of the April Attacks as those who attempt to do so also claim that it was done to ensure that the president is elected.

The Defence Secretary dismissed these claims as those being made to achieve political mileage.

He further said that Major General Suresh Salley who has also been a target of being labeled as the mastermind of the April Attacks is one who cannot speak a word of Tamil or Arabic, and is an officer happily married to a Sinhala family.

The Defence Secretary said that Suresh Salley is an officer who risked his life for the country.