Colombo Telegraph can exclusively reveal that President Maithripala Sirisena has taken measures to protect his favourite Senior DIG in charge of intelligence while making the Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando and IGP Pujith Jayasundara scapegoats for the colossal security blunder that resulted in the horrific bombings and killed more than 250 people on Easter Sunday.
President Sirisena was informed about the foreign intelligence reports predicting the attacks on at least three separate occasions Colombo Telegraph can exclusively reveal today.
All three briefings were conducted by Head of the State Intelligence Service Senior DIG Nilantha Jayawardena. Jayawardena met Sirisena personally to brief him on 11th April and 16th April. President Sirisena then travelled overseas soon after the New Year holidays. When the Indians tipped off the SIS once again on the 20th of April about the bombings being imminent Jayawardane tipped off the President over the telephone. At the time Sirisena was holidaying in Singapore with his family after a 3 day pilgrimage to India for blessings.
At no point after the SIS briefings did President Sirisena discuss the deadly serious threats with the Inspector General of Police, the three armed forces chiefs or even his own Defence Secretary sources at the Defence Ministry told Colombo Telegraph. Directives were given by the MoD to police officials to take necessary action to prevent the attacks and inform churches in advance of potential risks Colombo Telegraph was told by high ranking sources. Some sources said it was possible that Sirisena did not fully understand the extent of his security briefing or the high level threats being warned about.
President Sirisena has characteristically blamed officials in the Ministry of Defence and the Head of the Police IGP Jayasundara for shirking their responsibilities and failing to tell him about the imminent threats. “They came with betel leaves to wish me for Avurudu and even then they did not bother to tell me,” said the President when he met media heads and foreign reporters last week.
However officials say this is a blatant lie because SIS SDIG Jayawardane was always in the habit of telling the President about intelligence reports first before informing Ministry of Defence officials or even the Chief of National Intelligence Sisira Mendis.
“There is no way that the President did not know. I can imagine if the Defence Secretary did not warn him. But the SIS chief is his pet and he knew everything. They talked several times a day. There is no way Nilantha Jayawardane did not tell him what he knew,” a senior Government Minister who did not wish to be named said.
One UNP minister said that the President may have decided not to act on his briefings in the belief that the attacks would be small scale ones. “He may have thought he could then blame the UNP for those attacks and that would give him a political advantage,” the minister added.
The Minister said the SIS head had intimidating details about the attacks and the attackers ready to brief officials minutes after the bombings.
Defence Ministry officials however met with the head of the SIS Nilantha Jayawardane, the three forces chiefs and the IGP and other officials to discuss the threat as soon as the intelligence was received by the Ministry on the 9th of April. Directives were issued to the police to take necessary steps to avert the attacks and be extra vigilant. They even told the Police to alert churches to the intelligence reports and the risks involved.
Unable to take action against the SIS Chief who is his favourite President Sirisena has decided to make the former Defence Secretary Fernando and the IGP fall guys in the debacle. He has refused to take responsibility for the lapse even though he holds the portfolio of Defence Minister and Minister of Law and Order in charge of the tri-forces and the police. Sirisena has also never named the SIS head as being at fault for failing to alert him even though it is to the SIS that foreign intelligence is channelled to. In fact if the President is maintaining he was not told by any of his officials SDIG Jayawardane should be the first to take the blame senior officials at the Ministry of Defence said. “We were always second to know about intelligence reports even though the SIS actually comes under MoD. First of all Jayawardane rushes to the President. About half of what he tells the President he later relays to us,” one official revealed.
An official who is on the President’s staff confirmed that SIS Head SDIG Jayawardane is Sirisena’s favourite police officer. “It was actually to make Nilantha Jayawardane a SDIG that the president suddenly cancelled Ravi Waidyalanka’s extension three months early also. He had a good excuse because of the corruption charges against Waidyalankara. But the real mission was to make Nilantha SDIG since there can be only so many SDIGs in the Police Department at one time,” the president’s office official said.
taraki / April 28, 2019
Does anyone remember that song?
Bombe saadai thambi kadey
Janadhipathige aadhare
/
An Observer / April 28, 2019
The President says that he took over the Defence, National Security, etc. from the UNP govt. because many personnel in the Security Unit have been put in the jail and weakened the Security Unit by them.
If so, for nearly 6 months in charge of that Unit what did the President do to rectify the situation?
When Professional people take over a new area firstly they do a situation analysis. Has the Prexident done such a review? If so, can he publish it to justify his claim?
Having analysed the situation what sort of a strategy did the President put in place to rectify it? Can the President provide those details to justify his accusations against others?
If the President has put in place a new strategy it appears that he has implemented a wrong strategy.
/
Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / April 29, 2019
Now that hanging has been legalized, let us start it with hanging Sirisena for the cause of these deaths. Then only the departed souls will rest in peace.
/
Pronto / April 28, 2019
Let us wait and see what S/DIG Nilantha Jayawardena is saying at the committee appointed to probe into the carnage and report. We just cannot believe this report of the CT itself.
/
Ranjan / April 29, 2019
If not for the PM Ranil Wickremasinghe declaring Curfew on Sunday itself even before Bambuwa came, the country would have burned that night as the SLPP blokes were waiting for violence to spread to topple the Govt.
/
Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / April 29, 2019
Taraki, it continues as :
Adi pudi thambila maa paare
Mahindage pavule aadhare
/
Citizen Silva / April 28, 2019
What sort of President is this ?
Is he bonkers?
/
Ruwan / April 28, 2019
This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.For more detail see our Comment policy https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2
/
Raj-UK / April 28, 2019
Not bonkers. He is cunning enough to make underhand dealings, yet, stupid in every other way. He is also a slimy, self serving, gutless, uneducated yob with a thick hide that would literally stop bullets. He is a total waste of space & his (including his family) upkeep is a burden on the citizens of this country
/
LEELAGEMALLI / April 28, 2019
Silva,
he is no edcuated enough to see the matter of vital importance.
:
We elected him for this position, now we have been punished.
:
It is almost like to go for a heard surgery appointing an assistant. . Lawmakers should stand against this bugger, further not doing anything but to wait is no good any more.
That may have even worst consequeces. Earlier is better, to stand against this man.. he should be punished for his total ignorance.
/
kumar / April 28, 2019
Two issues are here.
1) president was brief about the foreign intelligent report and he is telling lie now and ask defense secretary and DIG to resign. This is bad. irresponsible behavior. he is incompetent.
2) DIG aware and circulated the intelligent warning. but never take action to protect the public including waring the people via media. He never directs the local police to check the suspect etc. even if the police just visit his house or phone him, their fear factor makes them disorganize and may reduce the magnitude of life loss. all police and people may be very vigilant and terrorist may face a lot of difficulties and people to reluctant to assemble for prayer etc may have happened. In this regards, DIG is negligent on his duty. as per the law and his moral and ethical value, he should decide his fate.
3) but some ministers also aware of it. they too self check themselves. are they taking responsibility to ensure people welfare and wellbeing as a minister of the country? what is their expected moral and ethical duty? they should say unconditional apologies to people and country.
these are the first step toward an authentic way of being. unless our leaders are authentic, we will suffer unnecessarily.
/
Fred / April 28, 2019
Of course, our President does not lie.
To indulge in some plagiarism, ‘He is wedded to the truth. But like many modern couples, they often choose to live apart’
/
Justice & Fairplay / April 29, 2019
Terrific Fred! Great post.
/
Jordan Rajadurai / April 28, 2019
There are educated fools and uneducated fools in the world but what kind of fool is sitting in as CEO of Sri Lankas presidential chair?The currunt president is a war criminal he should be investigated by international criminal courts for war crime or terrorist support and put him behind bars for murders.
/
Chitra / April 28, 2019
He has failed the people of this country. He is incompetent, and totally negligent in his duties as head of this country. A spineless selfish leader, who has failed the test.
If he had any decency, he should step down and resign.
/
Douglas / April 28, 2019
Please read the paragraph 10 starting with ” Defense Ministry Officials however met with the head of SIS…………. on 9th ………………. They even told the Police to alert the Churches………….”. Is this a “MISPRINT” of the above report? If “NOT”, then “WHO’ and “WHO” failed in the discharge of their duties?
/
justice / April 28, 2019
BBC reports discovery of cache of bomb making components at Sammanturai, a village in the east.
It is an almost wholly muslim area.
From where they got the stuff may lead to the planers of the bombings.
Local politicos, grama sevakas may have been aware.
/
RowanL / April 28, 2019
I am sure that those who blame the president for this debacle including the writer voted for Sirisena! Stop blaming anyone else! I blame the UNP for this mess! It’s time for Ranil to go home and handover the mantle of the grand old party to someone suitable (not Ravi) it’s also time to clean up the part and get some honest candidates for the next election!
/
kalu bokke / April 28, 2019
Impeach this bastard and hang him for manslaughter. An uneducated illiterate son of a bitch and liar who has lost the complete trust and respect of this nation. Hammer him with shit and drown him in piss.
/
paul / April 28, 2019
‘Hammer him with shit and drown him in piss’
How can you do that after you have hanged him for manslaughter?!
/
mike / April 29, 2019
kalu bokke – “Hammer him with shit and drown him in piss” and then SEAL the M.F. in a cesspit full of shit along with Medamulana Meeharaka Mahendra Percy Rajafucksha and the National Hangman Gotler!
/
Mallaiyuran / April 28, 2019
Some media news suggesting (not ready to openly word in that way) the Vavunathivu police murder was forced out only to get help from ISIS in the October Revolution by the Lankawe Political heads. When it failed they easily, arbitrarily arrested 30 Rehabilitated Tamil youths from the list they have in their hand but refusing to give to the Sasitharan missing cases. Army is denying if they have a list of rehabilitated youths, but they know the number 12,000. Who is the smarty who can tell 12,000 numbers without counting the heads?
How many are matters TNA Charles has asked on these Vavunathivu matters? Is there anyone responsible even to replay at least one of them? They are only using all these to political opportunism. One of the world famous man, who got involved in investigations of Lankawe Political murders- War Crimes, (Former UNHRC HC Prince Zeid) has expressed his worry that Lankawe political leaders are going to use Easter Sunday for their politics.
While these searching are in full swing, Tamil media keep reporting theft in Northern homes in night with swords (Aava Kuzhu?).
There is lot of matters pointing to suspect Political heads is in touch with ISIS. I don’t mean the ones media openly naming Muslims ministers. Media openly report like that only after first suspicion is passing and after seeing some confirmations; but the main Sinhala Heads.
These guys have been meeting secretly when SBD arranged in their house. Are these rebels’ bunker meeting? This time Cardinal Comedy had done that. Unless Christians-Catholics deal with Cardinal Comedy’s matter in Vatican, their safety in in Lankawe will be pawned by political heads to ISIS. Pope has to call this guy Rome and inquire why he is involved in the ISIS bombing politics so much. This is much more than BBS politics.
/
JD / April 28, 2019
I heard when 9/11 attacks happened, George bush had the Security report and the List of names of culprits in his hands. But, He did not believe it for TWO months. That kind of things have happened everywhere. but, it can be milked for Political purposes.They were rich and they gave good political donations. There are photos of Drug King pins and now Wahabi Terrorists with politicians. Only thing we did not have was friends of Wahabis inside the parliament. I heard Azath Sally and Mujiber Rahman saying, WE knew themwe have talked to them and even had meals but we did not know that they were terrorists. But, I remember some time ago, writing that they had friends from ISIS or some connections.
/
Mallaiyuran / April 28, 2019
Please Don’t compare Ranil and George. That lie comparing a Phd Professor going to a university and nursery going to nursery. He just go schools to play with his mates and tell the story of why he took the side of the mom in that morning argument with his dad.
/
JD / April 28, 2019
CT Please do not send this through your Comment policy.
https://www.asia-pacificresearch.com/sri-lanka-easter-day-bombings/5628583
he Sri Lanka Easter bombings that killed more than 350 people including foreign nationals raise several pertinent questions
Why did the bombings receive far less foreign media coverage than the Christchurch (NZ) terrorist attack and the Notre Dame (Paris) fire?
Why was the intelligence warning which came on April 4 ignored and even withheld according to Sri Lankan minister Lakshman Kiriella
It was India which gave the intelligence warning. How did India get this information?
Why was little known group National Thowheeth Jama’ath named in the intelligence report?
Why was Sri Lanka’s booming tourism industry was attacked?
Why was ISIS which is virtually unknown in Sri Lanka allegedly claim responsibility three days after the terrorist attacks?
How is it that ISIS which was decimated in the Middle East managed to carry out these massive coordinated attacks in Sri Lanka where they do not have any strategic base or interest?
Why ISIS?
Why would the persecuted Muslim minority in Sri Lanka carry out a terrorist attack on another minority group?
Who benefits?
I hope that journalists who report the Sri Lanka terrorist attacks will keep these questions in mind while filing their report. Reporters should not be stenographers.
Binu Mathew is the editor of Countercurrents.org
/
JD / April 28, 2019
It is Lakshman Kiriella who had said that Intelligence report came from India on April FOURTH. So, Ranil must know. Foreign journalists are asking why it was held without acting on that for what reason. CNN gave the best intelligence report right away. As soon as they heard, CNN said it is ISIS who did it. [10 Questions on Sri Lanka Easter Day Bombings?
By Binu Mathew
Asia-Pacific Research, April 27, 2019
Countercurrents 24 April 2019 ]
/
JD / April 28, 2019
On the other hand,CT is wrong. Ranil has said He takes Responsibility. I don’t think what Ranil said was he gave the orders to blow up as the President was away. So, Ranil can declare curfew and take over the govt.
/
JD / April 28, 2019
What I don’t understand how come a Responsible govt, or politicians think that less than 200 Wahabis in an organization would blow up for a homeland. particualry when they are rich ones who buy car permits from politicians and when they give Good political donations. Then TNA and Wigneswaran had a good chance to blow up as they were very vocal.
/
Analyst / April 29, 2019
JD what a fool you are as you continue to prove yourself such an empty headed fool .
You should join the Sillies of the country and form a club in the Pollonoruwa and Medamulana paddy fields.
Please leave us alone and go away.
/
illusionist / April 28, 2019
We have been talking about impeaching him since the day one. But this is he said she said report. Not a factual one. Better to post something concrete and get these baster thrown away
/
Lanki / April 28, 2019
If Ranil and Mahinda Rajapakse are honest politicians they should immediately join hands and bring an impeachment motion in the Parliament against the useless President Maithripala. In addition to the news shown in this article, there is no way RAW would not have informed Sirisena in person when he was in India, that is the reason he ran away to Singapore with his family on an unscheduled holiday trip with his family. He should be impeached for the following reasons: 1. Having received the details about the attack well in advance not taking action and killing civilians. 2. Having violated the constitution as per Supreme Court. 3. Not calling the security council meeting for months. 3. Not allowing PM and Deputy Minister Defense in attending security council meetings. 4. Even after the attack now permitting security council members to meet with the PM. 5. Not returning to the country immediately after the attack. 6. Not appointing Sarath Fonseka as Minister of Law and Order after the recommendation of the PM thereby violating the constitution once again. 7. Lying to Sri Lankans that he was not informed of the attack in advance.
Once the President is impeached for at least one or two years all elections should be postponed and a National Government should be formed by Ranil and Mahinda to make the country strong.
/
Thappu / April 28, 2019
Hi Lanki, ‘If Ranil and Mahinda Rajapakse are honest politicians’ … . How do you expect me to continue reading your comment when you still have such doubts in your mind!
/
JD / April 28, 2019
This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.For more detail see our Comment policy https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2
/
Rodda / April 28, 2019
pRESIDENT, AS THE HEAD OF STATE AND head of security is the first person to blame.
THE PRIME MINISTER, as head of the government and as the man who has usurped many of the powers of Sirisena (i.e., Sirisena’s main complaint in October takeover) is
EQUALLY to blame.
Mangala Samaraweera, the person who has led a campaign against the security forces is the THIRD person to blame.
THESE THREE PEOPLE MUST RESIGN, or THEY MUST BE MADE TO GO.
THE SLFP HAS A CLEAR DUTY TO EJECT SIrisena from the SLFP.
THE UNP HAS A CLEAR DUTY TO EJECT Ranil Wickremasinghe from the UNP
The UNP has to clean ityself of samaraweer and Ravi Karunanayake before it can come to face the public.
These people are responsible for the failure of the 2015 effort to clean up Lankan politics. They have paved the way for the Rajapaksas to come back. Have the Rajapaksas learnt a lesson and become cleansed? Isn’t Basil Rajapaksa a close sidekik of Richard Bathurdeen? What is Bathurdeen’s role in bringing in Pakistani Islamists into the country?
/
JD / April 28, 2019
This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.For more detail see our Comment policy https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2
/
Ad / April 28, 2019
Asshole murderer.
/
Plato. / April 28, 2019
The time is ripe to make a trip to Tirupathi Temple to invoke blessings to remove this Joker-Sirisena.
Parliament is not moving in the matter, the People are not coming into the streets asking him to go home; So, the only way out is Divine Intervention.But who could make that trip to Tirupathi Temple? MaRa? sweet revenge for the Hopper feed! MaRa should move on this Tide.If he misses this he will never get a chance again!
/
Pon Kulendiren / April 28, 2019
When such vital security issues are discussed between the President and the security officials such as secretary, IGP, Army official etc I am certain with current Advance in technology related to security there is a voice and video recording of the discussion. That is more than enough to prove that the President is lying and trying to put the blame on others. I am sire IGP is smart to adopt IT method to give as proof for his conversation with the President If it is proved that the President is lying he should resign What can we expect from former Grama Niladhari
/
Gune / April 28, 2019
The blood of 259 innocent lives are on his hands. Can he sleep well at night?
/
Lankan / April 28, 2019
Where is the backlash against the President and this Government?
What are the people waiting for?
Elections are next to useless in Sri Lanka as it’s the same set of donkeys contesting every time..
So a purge of the politicians needs to take place, by forcing an end to their political careers, and bringing in a younger generation with a clean slate.
Over to the people of Sri Lanka to take to the streets and make this happen…
/
Hadeniya / April 28, 2019
This is shocking news. Should be made available to international media for wider coverage. Then the world can see the kind of person that heads the country. Wonder if the Yahapalanaya government now regrets having installed him President. Surprising that people haven’t risen up seeking his resignation.
/
Siri Perera / April 29, 2019
Publicizing it to the world as you suggest will only bring shame upon the people who put him there
/
Upul / April 29, 2019
All you guys need your heads examined.
Sirisena is the Minister of Defense.
Sirisena is the Minister of Law and Order.
When he leaves the country, an acting Minister is NOT sworn in.
Security Council meetings since October 2018 did not involve State Ministers of the relevant subjects.
The clueless and uneducated “journalists” in search of sensational non-news , allow all the statements that are trying to cover up responsibility without any follow up questioning.
The social media geniuses are having a wild time spreading rumors and old information.
/
Leelaratne / April 29, 2019
If the defense was under the preview of the President he should have placed everything in proper order. When his subordinates fail it becomes his responsibility. He held the portfolio and if something has gone wrong he becomes the number one person answerable for not having given proper instruction to them. It is his sheer incompetence. Being number one citizen he should be capable of executing his duties. I remember him telling that when he was a Minister in the earlier government he was not allowed to work as he wanted to. Being an executive President if he utters the same it proves how incompetent he is.
/
JuliannaRose / April 29, 2019
This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.For more detail see our Comment policy https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2
/