Minister Vijitha Herath has challenged Udaya Gammanpila to submit the two reports he claims to possess on the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks within three days, raising questions about how Gammanpila obtained these documents and the legal ramifications of withholding such critical information.
In response, Gammanpila, a Sarvajana Balaya Colombo District candidate, announced that he is ready to meet this challenge. He stated that he will hold a special press conference today to address Minister Herath’s demands.
This debate over the reports began earlier in the week when Gammanpila publicly urged the government to release two unpublished committee reports on the Easter Sunday attacks, warning that he would publish them online if the government fails to do so within a week. He clarified that these reports, including parts of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) findings, were recommended for Parliament presentation but remain undisclosed. Gammanpila added that the Catholic Church has also highlighted two other reports by committees led by I.M. Imam and A.N.J. de Alwis, which have yet to be published.
Cabinet Spokesman Minister Herath responded by giving Gammanpila three days to hand over these reports, emphasizing the government’s dedication to fully reviewing all materials related to the attacks for accuracy and completeness. Herath questioned the means by which Gammanpila obtained these documents and highlighted the legal implications of withholding crucial information, stating, “If Gammanpila has these reports, he should submit them immediately. It’s also essential to understand how he came into possession of these documents, as this is a serious matter.”