Easter Sunday probe: Senior DIG Nilantha placed on compulsory leave

• Jayawardena, currently serving as Senior DIG (Administration), could potentially influence witnesses and prejudice the formal inquiry

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya  

Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (Administration) Nilantha Jayawardena has been placed on immediate compulsory leave by the National Police Commission following a Supreme Court order regarding the Easter Sunday attacks.   The Supreme Court’s decision on January 12, 2023, directed the National Police Commission to conduct a disciplinary investigation against the former head of the State Intelligence Service, 
Nilantha Jayawardena.  

The Commission said that a preliminary investigation was conducted, and a charge sheet was issued against him on November 17, 2023.  
Jayawardena submitted his response to the charge sheet on March 12, 2024, and the formal disciplinary investigation commenced on July 1, 2024.  
The Commission said that Jayawardena, currently serving as Senior DIG (Administration), could potentially influence witnesses and prejudice the formal inquiry. Therefore, the Commission decided to place him on compulsory leave until the investigation concludes.