Sirisena gets into defendant's dock in Easter Attacks case

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Former President Maithripala Sirisena on Friday (27) was seen getting into the defendant's dock when the case filed with the Fort Magistrate's Court against him for failing to prevent the 2019 April Attacks despite receiving credible information about the attacks, was taken up.

Initially, he did not get into the dock, and following a clarification made by the court, Sirisena was asked to get into the defendant's dock.

An individual who lost a limb in the attacks on the St. Anthony's Church in Kochchikade on the 21st of April 2019, and Rev. Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando had filed the case against the Former President.

When the case was called up on Friday (27), Sirisena did not get into the defendant's dock and remained out.

President's Counsel Rienzie Arsecularatne appearing for the plaint directed the court's attention to the incident and raised objections.

President's Counsel Faiszer Musthapha appearing for Maithripala Sirisena noted that the Court of Appeal had suspended action in the private plaint filed against his client, and therefore his client would not get into the defendant's dock.

However, Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage pointed out that the Court of Appeal had ordered the Magistrate Court to read out the charge sheet against the suspect, and not  take action until an order is issued by the Court of Appeal.

The Magistrate noted that the Court of Appeal had NOT issued an order preventing the suspect from getting into the defendant's dock, and ordered the court official to announce the suspect's name, summoning him to the court.

Thereafter, Former President Maithripala Sirisena was seen getting into the defendant's dock.

The private plaint filed with the Fort Magistrate's Court against Former President Maithripala Sirisena for failing to prevent the 2019 April Attacks despite receiving credible information about the attacks was postponed to the 17th of March.