Additional Solicitor General President’s Counsel Dileepa Peiris has called for an end to the practice of merely forwarding important official communications with the notation “FNA” — For Necessary Action — citing the handling of intelligence ahead of the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks.
Peiris said it was time to move away from the “FNA” culture and ensure officials take responsibility for acting on critical information rather than simply passing it down the chain.
Referring to intelligence received ahead of the Easter Sunday attacks, Peiris said information communicated by the then State Intelligence Service chief on April 9, 2019, had been forwarded by then IGP Pujith Jayasundara to four divisions, including a unit responsible for VIP security.
He said the communication had been forwarded with the notation “FNA,” questioning whether such an approach was adequate when dealing with intelligence concerning a serious security threat.
Peiris also recalled that the Attorney General’s Department subsequently filed 855 charges against former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando and former IGP Jayasundara over their alleged failure to take adequate action despite receiving prior intelligence.
Peiris said the experience demonstrated why merely writing “FNA” and forwarding information should no longer be considered sufficient when officials have a responsibility to act. (Newswire)