Seeking compensation for 21/4 blast victims: Over 400 cases filed in Negombo DC

By Berty Weerasinghe- Katana

A sizeable number of cases have been filed in the Negombo District Court by the relatives of those who had died and those who had been injured in the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks, demanding compensation in millions of rupees. Former President Maithripala Sirisena and five others have been named as respondents, over their failure to prevent the carnage and with complicity to murder.

It is estimated that around 400 cases have been filed by the relatives of 115 people who had perished in the blast that took place at the Katuwapitiya Church during the Easter carnage and by relatives of some 350 people who had been wounded in the blast.

Former President Maithripala Sirisena, ex-PM Ranil Wickremesinghe, former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando, ex-IGP Pujith Jayasundera, former head of SIS Nilantha Jayawardene and then Attorney General  Jayantha Jayasuriya have been named as respondents.

Over 40 lawyers, representing the petitioners, are presently taking measures to expedite the cases being heard before the Negombo District Court in this connection. 

Meanwhile, it was revealed that a large number of Buddhist and Catholic lawyers had volunteered to represent the petitioners without payment.

Sources stated the Court has already issued summons to the respondents named in the petitions.