I have no funds to pay Rs 100mn, will collect from friends: Maithripala

Former President Maithripala Sirisena said today that he will collect and pay the compensation to the victims of Easter Sunday attacks, as ordered by the Supreme Court, with the help of his close friends.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered former President Maithripala Sirisena to pay a sum of Rs.100 million as damages to the victims of Easter Sunday attacks.

The former president said, addressing a ceremony held in Nittambuwa that he has no assets or income to pay a compensation  of Rs. 100 million.

" I respect the law and I am a person who bows to the court's decisions always. I am not a person who has the funds to pay such a compensation. I asked whether I should be begging under the Bo tree in Pettah. Therefore I and my friends have decided that we will collect the money from our friends," he said.

He said he has given his assets declaration to Parliament every year and anyone can take it and see what he has.

"For the past 5 years that I was the president, I have given my assets declaration every year.  So anyone can see my assets declaration under RTI. I hope to get the necessary support from my friends to collect the required compensation," he said.(DSB)