Director of Communications for the Archdiocese of Colombo, Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando, today said the Colombo Archdiocese was against capital punishment, responding to a recent remark linked to former State Intelligence Service (SIS) chief SDIG Nilantha Jayawardena.

Addressing the media, Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando said recent reports claim that the Director of Mass Communications of the Catholic Church of Sri Lanka, Fr. Jude Krishantha, had stated that it was his opinion that SDIG Nilantha Jayawardene should be issued the death sentence.

Responding to the claims, Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando clarified that the Colombo Archdiocese was against capital punishment, and that Fr. Jude Krishantha’s comment was not the opinion of the Catholic Church. 

He said the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the Easter attacks has recommended initiating action against Nilantha Jayawardena, and that the Colombo Archdiocese expects all recommendations to be implemented. 

Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando also said that the Colombo Archdiocese, however, is grateful for the decision to dismiss Nilantha Jayawardena from the Police service over allegations of dereliction of duty related to the Easter attacks.

Director of Communications for the Archdiocese of Colombo, Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando, made the remarks while addressing the media today (21). (Newswire)

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The Attorney General has informed the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka that contempt of court charges are to be filed against former Senior DIG & head of the State Intelligence Service (SIS) Nilantha Jayawardena.

The court was informed today, that the contempt of court charges are to be filed for his inability to pay compensation of Rs. 75 million to the victims of the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks, as previously ordered by the Supreme Court. 

The Supreme Court thus, ordered Nilantha Jayawardena to appear before the court on 07 October 2024.

In January 2023, the Supreme Court ruled that several former government officials, including former President Maithripala Sirisena and Nilantha Jayawardena, were liable for failing to prevent the attacks despite prior intelligence warnings. 

The court ordered the former government officials to pay varying amounts in compensation, after taking into consideration petitions filed by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, families of the victims, Catholic priests, and others, which were heard by a seven-member bench led by Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya. 

In July 2024, SDIG Nilantha Jayawardena was also placed on compulsory leave in connection to the investigations into the Easter Sunday attacks. At the time, the National Police Commission said SDIG Nilantha Jayawardena was placed on leave pending a disciplinary probe. (Newswire)

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Senior DIG Nilantha Jayawardena has been placed on compulsory leave in connection to the investigations into the Easter Sunday attacks.

The National Police Commission said SDIG Nilantha Jayawardena has been placed on leave pending a disciplinary probe. 

The move comes after the Supreme Court had questioned why the National Police Commission had not initiated action against the former Chief of the State Intelligence Service, as per its court order. 

The Supreme Court last week instructed the National Police Commission to adhere to the court order and take action against Senior DIG Nilantha Jayawardena.

The SDIG, along with former President Maithripala Sirisena, is accused of failing to prevent the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks, despite receiving intelligence information. (Newswire)

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