The CID has informed the Supreme Court today (08) that there are no plans to arrest Fr. Cyril Gamini following a complaint lodged with the CID by the Director of the State Intelligence Service, Suresh Salley.
Fr. Cyril Gamini had made a statement regarding the Easter Sunday attack while participating in an international forum held on the 23rd through Zoom. He said Sri Lankan intelligence service has provided financial and other vital support to Saharan Hashim, the leader of the National Tawheed Jamaat, which led the Easter terrorist attack.
He further added that Major General Salley, a Brigadier at the time, played an active role in feeding Saharan and his followers.
Maj. Gen. Suresh Salley has strongly denied the allegations made by Fr. Cyril Gamini and others and has stated that all the allegations are completely false. Rejecting the allegations made by Fr. Cyril Gamini and others, Major General Saleh has stated that all the allegations made with the intention of discrediting him.
All of these allegations are aimed not only at misleading the public, but also deliberately tarnishing his reputation and endangering his life as well as the lives of his family members, and such false allegations are irreversible to intelligence agencies as well as intelligence officers who play a vital role in ensuring national security. He had lodged a complaint with the CID on the 25th.
Maj. Gen. Suresh Salley has repeatedly stated in his complaint that he has never, under any circumstances, communicated in any way with Saharan Hashim or his followers. He has asked the CID to take legal action against the parties involved in the allegations. After the CID reported the matter to the Colombo Magistrate’s Court on the 27th, Fr. Cyril Gamini was summoned to appear in CID on the 28th.
Meanwhile, the Media Spokesperson of the Archdiocese Easter Committee, Rev. Cyril Gamini, filed a Fundamental Rights Petition in the Supreme Court last (02) seeking an injunction restraining his arrest from the CID. The fundamental rights petition was filed naming seven persons as respondents, including the IGP, the Attorney General, the Director of the CID and the Chief of State Intelligence.
Accordingly, when a fundamental rights petition was called today (08), Additional Solicitor General Rohantha Abeysuriya, who appeared for the Director of the CID, gave an affidavit stating that there were no plans to arrest Fr. Cyril Gamini at this time. The Additional Solicitor General said that a decision would be taken on the advice of the Attorney General after the completion of the investigation.
President’s Counsel Rienzie Arsakularatne, appearing for Fr. Cyril Gamini, told the court that his client was ready to appear before the CID and make a statement at an appropriate time. Accordingly, the presiding judge of the three-judge bench, Judge Vijith Malalgoda, informed the Additional Solicitor General, who appeared for the CID, the petitioner should be given sufficient time to be summoned to the CID for a statement.
Many priests as well as members of a number of civil society organizations gathered around the Supreme Court today (08) in support of Fr. Cyril Gamini.