Easter Attack PCOI concludes hearings without evidence from key suspects

The Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the 21 April 2019, Easter Sunday bombings ended its hearings today (19), without obtaining evidence of several key suspects.

Former Director of the CID, Shani Abeysekera was scheduled to testify before the Commission today but he did not appear. A spokesman for the Commission said Abesekera would testify before the Commission at a future date, however, later announced that hearings of the Commission were over. 

The Commission did not record evidence of several key suspects with regard to the Easter Sunday bombings. Among them are Mohamed Naufar alias Naufar Moulavi, who is believed to be the mastermind behind Easter Sunday bombings, Mohamed Anwar Mohamed Riskan, who allegedly helped manufacture the bombs used in the attacks, and Ahamed Milhan Hayathu Mohamed against whom charges were recently filed by the US. 

In addition, MP Rishad Bathiudeen’s sister, who had rented her house in Wattala to suicide bombers, Police Sergeant Nandalal of the CID who is alleged to have had connections with Army Mohideen, one of the key suspects of the bombings, and Army Mohideen were also not summoned before the Commission to testify.