Parliament Select Committee appointed to probe Easter Sunday attack NSC not met for two months prior to Easter attack: Nat’l Intel Chief

• threats by the ISIS were discussed several times at the National Security Council

By Sujith Hewajulige   

Chief of National Intelligence (CNI) former DIG Sisira Mendis yesterday revealed that the National Security Council (NSC) had not convened for two months after it last met on February 19, 2019 prior to the April 21 terrorist attack. 

 He revealed this while giving evidence before the Parliament Select Committee appointed to probe Easter Sunday attack.  

He said even though he pointed out at the Intelligence coordinating meeting on April 9, 2019, that the information on the Easter Sunday attack should be discussed, the matter was not given due consideration and that it was not discussed until the day of the attack.  

• Says he pointed out during April 9 meeting that info on Easter Sunday attack should be discussed, but matter was not given due consideration

 National Intelligence Chief Mendis said threats by the ISIS were discussed several times at the National Security Council and further said that they also discussed about National Thawheed Jam’aat leader Zahran Hashim. He said it was October 6, 2015 when the matter relating to Zahran was first discussed at the Security Council.  

Mr. Mendis said intelligence information on the Easter Sunday attack was conveyed to him by the State Intelligence Services Chief on April 8, 2019 and that he referred it to the IGP for further action. He said he did not know from whom the intelligence information was received and that it was not inquired even at the Security Council.  

He said intelligence information on the Easter Sunday attack was conveyed to him by the State Intelligence Services Chief on April 8, 2019