By: Isuru Parakrama
October 07, Colombo (LNW): Former Director of the State Intelligence Service (SIS), Nilantha Jayawardena, has pledged to finalise the payment of compensation owed to victims of the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks.
His legal counsel informed the Supreme Court that the outstanding amount will be paid, with the necessary documentation to be submitted later today (07).
Jayawardena, who served as Senior Deputy Inspector General (DIG) and headed the SIS at the time of the attacks, appeared in court due to contempt charges.
These charges arose from his failure to complete the court-ordered compensation of Rs. 75 million for the victims of the tragic bombing, which claimed hundreds of lives.
The case was heard before a seven-member Supreme Court panel, led by Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya. During the proceedings, Jayawardena’s legal representative, President’s Counsel Chandaka Jayasundara, explained that the former intelligence chief had faced financial difficulties in meeting the compensation order.
Given that he remains in active police service, Jayasundara noted that Jayawardena could not independently raise the necessary funds.
However, the counsel revealed that friends of the former SIS director had stepped in to help cover the remaining amount.
The court was assured that the outstanding compensation would be paid into the Office for Reparations through a bank transaction later in the day.
On this basis, the President’s Counsel requested the court not to pursue further contempt charges, as Jayawardena intended to comply fully with the compensation order.
Despite these assurances, Chief Justice Jayasuriya remarked that the deadline for the compensation payment had already passed. The court issued an instruction for the submission of proof of payment by 1:30 p.m. today.
If the required documentation is not produced, the contempt of court proceedings will continue as planned.
