By: Isuru Parakrama
October 07, Colombo (LNW): Former Chief of State Intelligence Nilantha Jayawardena issued a formal apology to the Supreme Court this (07) afternoon for his delay in paying the compensation related to the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks.
His apology came during a personal appearance before the court, following the failure to meet the originally stipulated deadline.
Jayawardena’s legal counsel, President’s Counsel Chandaka Jayasundara, confirmed to the court that his client has now fully settled the outstanding Rs. 65 million.
This final payment concludes the total compensation of Rs. 75 million, which was ordered by the court due to Jayawardena’s failure to act on prior intelligence warnings regarding the attacks.
An initial payment of Rs. 10 million had already been made earlier, leaving the Rs. 65 million now cleared.
The court’s ruling stems from multiple fundamental rights petitions filed by victims and families affected by the Easter Sunday bombings, which occurred on April 21, 2019 and claimed over 270 lives.
These petitions sought accountability for the failure to act on intelligence that could have potentially prevented the attacks.
The case was heard before a distinguished seven-member bench, including Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya and Justices Murdu Fernando, S. Thurairaja, A.H.M.D. Nawaz, Kumuduni Wickramasinghe, Shiran Gunaratne, and Achala Wengappuli.
Jayawardena’s failure to respond to critical intelligence prior to the attacks was highlighted as a key lapse, with the court mandating this substantial compensation as a form of redress for the victims.
With this final payment, Jayawardena’s legal obligations in relation to this case are now fulfilled.
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