Courtesy Hiru News

Udaya Gammanpila, leader of the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya, has publicly questioned why President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has yet to release the Imam’s report on the Easter Sunday attack. Speaking today (28) in Colombo at a press conference for the release of the report by retired Supreme Court judge S.I. Alwis, Gammanpila criticized the President, claiming that his actions are prioritizing party interests over national accountability.

Gammanpila stated that an individual referenced in the report currently holds a significant government position, and he urged the President to remove this person. He speculated that the President might be withholding the report to avoid exposing potential missteps by the Malima government regarding this appointment. Gammanpila further alleged that the President’s decision to keep the report under wraps may be due to his choice to appoint someone who allegedly sought international support against the nation’s war heroes.

Highlighting the public’s right to know information, Gammanpila argued that withholding the report infringes on transparency. He noted that, during his opposition tenure, Dissanayake was vocal about intelligence-related controversies, and as Commander-in-Chief, he should now recognize and address the complexities of the intelligence sector. According to Gammanpila, these allegations have discouraged some intelligence officers from joining the service, despite the sector’s significant accomplishments, such as countering LTTE terrorism.

He emphasized that the report is crucial for affirming the intelligence sector’s non-involvement in the Easter attack and called for its release to uphold the reputation of the country’s intelligence agencies. Gammanpila asserted that, if there are efforts to undermine the intelligence agencies, he would actively oppose them in his role as an opposition leader.

Gammanpila concluded with a personal note, quoting his father’s words: “Tell the truth and don’t be afraid to sit on the ground.” He also hinted that he expects police questioning on this matter after November 14 and is prepared to respond.