Former Defence Secy, Police Chief arrested over negligence to prevent Easter Sunday attacks

Former Defence Secretary and Police Chief have been taken into arrest on Tuesday for their negligence to prevent Easter Sunday attacks. Both were taken into arrest by a team of CID officers while they were admitted in hospitals in Colombo on health grounds.

Hemasiri Fenando was removed from the post of defence secretary after the April 21 attacks and was receiving treatment at the General hospital. Inspector General of Police (IGP) who was sent on compulsory leave was arrested from police hospital where he was admitted on Tuesday morning.

Earlier, both were summoned to appear before the CID on Tuesday. Country’s Attorney General on Monday wrote to the acting IGP urging him to bring charges against both saying there is sufficient information to prove negligence of official duties. His letter said the two officials should be brought before a magistrate for their criminal negligence which amounts to what is known under international law to be grave crimes against humanity.

Sri Lankan government has accepted that there were intelligence inputs regarding the Easter attacks which killed over 250 people including 45 foreigners.