Easter Sunday Attack - Ex-prez should be arrested: Range Bandara

United National Party (UNP) MP Palitha Range Bandara yesterday called for the arrest of former president Maithripala Sirisena and said as the then commander-in-chief he held the prime responsibility for the Easter Sunday carnage.

He told a news conference that Mr. Sirisena could be arrested because he did not hold legal immunity anymore.

“It is Mr Sirisena who had given instructions not to summon former prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, former state minister of defence and the IGP for Security Council meetings,” the MP said. “Mr Sirisena flew to Singapore knowing that there was an imminent attack by Muslim extremists given intelligence information which was available to him.”

He said there was conclusive evidence to arrest former president Sirisena on charges of doing little or nothing about the Easter Sunday attack which left some 260 people dead.

“We will give our fullest support to the investigations being carried out on the attacks," the MP said.

Meanwhile, he said the UNP was vehemently opposed to abolishing the 19th Amendment because doing away with the 19-A would lead to a dictatorship in the country.

“It is the 19th Amendment that reinstituted democracy in the country ensuring the independence of Judiciary and the Independent Commissions," the MP said. (Sheain Fernandopulle)