Colombo, 20 July (H.S.): Sri Lanka’s National Police Commission has dismissed Nilantha Jayawardena, the former head of the State Intelligence Service (SIS), for negligence related to the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings that resulted in 279 fatalities, including 45 foreigners.

Jayawardena ignored prior warnings of a potential attack by Islamic extremists, having been notified 17 days before the coordinated suicide bombings on April 21, which targeted three hotels and three churches, injuring over 500 people. A disciplinary inquiry found him guilty on seven counts of dereliction of duty, leading to his dismissal as the Commission imposed the maximum penalty.

Initially removed from his SIS role post-bombings, Jayawardena was later appointed deputy head of the police force but was placed on compulsory leave one year ago pending disciplinary action. A top-level investigation found him and four senior officials, including former president Maithripala Sirisena, should face prosecution for their failures. Following a Supreme Court ruling, they have compensated victims over one million dollars. The new government under President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has committed to enhancing investigations into the attacks.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar