Maithripala and others ordered to pay total compensation before June 30 2024

• Court further ordered  to submit their asset  declarations on or before December 30 this year

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda  

The Supreme Court yesterday issued an order directing former President Maithripala Sirisena and several other respondents in the Easter Sunday attack petitions to pay total compensation ordered by Court to the victims of the Easter Sunday attacks before June 30, next year.  

Accordingly, former President Maithripala Sirisena, former IGP Pujith Jayasundera and former State Intelligence Service (SIS) Director Nilantha Jayawardena were ordered to pay their remaining balance before June 30, 2024.  The Court further ordered the three respondents to submit their asset declarations on or before December 30 this year.   

The court was informed that former Chief of National Intelligence Sisira Mendis has paid the total amount of compensation to the Office for Reparations. The Court was further informed that out of Rs.100 million ordered by the Supreme Court, Maithripala Sirisena has paid a total sum of Rs.15 million to Office for Reparations. Former President through his counsel stated that he would pay the remaining sum of Rs.85 million in 10 equal installments of Rs.8,500,000 per annum commencing from 30th June 2024 and ending on 30th June 2033. Out of Rs.75 million ordered by court, former IGP Pujith Jayasundera has paid Rs.17 million. Former State Intelligence Service (SIS) Director Nilantha Jayawardena had been ordered to pay Rs.75 million as compensation.  

Meanwhile, the Attorney General was directed to submit a report regarding the progress of the disciplinary action taken against former SIS Director Nilantha Jayawardena for his lapses and failures to perform official duty.  

Supreme Court seven-judge-bench comprised Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, Justice Buwaneka Aluwihare, Justice L.T.B. Dehideniya, Justice Murdu Fernando, Justice S. Thurairaja, Justice A.H.M.D. Nawaz and Justice Shiran Goonaratne.