Maithripala seeks six more years to pay compensation to Easter Sunday victims

Colombo, July 15 (Daily Mirror) - Former President Maithripala Sirisena today sought a six-year time period to pay the total compensation amount for the victims of the Easter Sunday bomb attacks.

President's Counsel Faizer Mustapha, appearing for Maithripala Sirisena, informed the Supreme Court that his client has already paid Rs. 58 million in compensation to the victims and further stated that the remaining Rs. 42 million will be paid within the next six years.

In its judgment dated January 12, 2023, the Supreme Court ordered former President Sirisena, who held the office of the Minister of Defence at the time of the incidents, to pay a sum of Rs. 100 million as compensation to the victims of the Easter Sunday bomb attacks.

However, President's Counsel Sanjeeva Jayawardena, appearing for a petitioner in one of the petitions, informed the court that despite former President Sirisena owning three properties as per his affidavit, he has not made a genuine effort to make the payment.

Meanwhile, the court was informed that out of the Rs. 75 million ordered by the court, former IGP Pujith Jayasundera has paid only Rs. 1.9 million.

The court was further informed that then Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando and former Chief of National Intelligence Sisira Mendis have paid the total amount of compensation ordered by the Supreme Court.