If Gnanasara Thero’s Warnings Had Been Heeded, Easter Sunday Attacks Could Have Been Prevented
Lakshman Kiriella Emphasises
Explains the Background to the Presidential Pardon Granted to the Thero
Authorities Ignored Earlier Revelations on Extremism – Attention Came Only After the Easter Sunday Attacks
Former Minister and senior Vice President of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, Attorney-at-Law Lakshman Kiriella, says that successive governments failed to give due consideration to the revelations made by Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thero concerning extremism.
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Speaking at a media briefing in Colombo, Kiriella stated that the authorities only began paying serious attention to those revelations after the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks.
He said that the decision to grant a presidential pardon to Gnanasara Thero was taken against this background.
Kiriella further stated that Ranil Wickremesinghe intervened in the matter and held discussions with then President Maithripala Sirisena to address the situation.
According to Kiriella, the failure of the authorities at the time to take Gnanasara Thero’s revelations seriously also meant that investigative agencies, including the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), did not take appropriate action in response to the concerns raised.
However, Kiriella also pointed out that the Thero’s conduct on certain occasions, when he may have overstepped the limits, was a separate matter.