Amid political and religious pressure to show progress in the Easter Sunday attacks investigation before the 21st, the CID has succeeded in questioning the police intelligence officer who was in contact with the Saharan group under the alias Sonic Sonic.
The Deputy Inspector General of Police Ravi Seneviratne, who led the investigation into the Easter Sunday attacks, stated in the affidavit submitted to the Supreme Court that “Sonic Sonic” was Bandara, a Sub-Inspector of Police.
He also stated in it:
“The petitioner states that when the CID went to question the person alleged to be Sub-Inspector Bandara, the Deputy Inspector General (second in command in the State Intelligence Service) S.I.S. Sampath Liyanage contacted the petitioner and informed him not to proceed with the questioning as Sub-Inspector Bandara’s relationship with Podi Saharan was a confidential part of an operation directly related to national security.
“However, the petitioner refused to comply with the request of the said DIG and managed to obtain a statement, but the said Sub-Inspector Bandara took the same stand in his statement and refused to reveal any information regarding his relationship with the said ‘Podi Saharan’.”
After the National People’s Power government came to power, Senior DIG Ravi Seneviratne, who retired during the Gotabaya era, was appointed Secretary to the Ministry of Defense. Senior Superintendent of Police Shani Abeysekara, who led the Easter attacks investigation with him, was re-hired and handed over the Easter attacks investigation.
The relevant intelligence agencies were informed three months ago to produce Sonic Sonic, a vital witness for this investigation, for questioning. However, the he has been avoiding it for the past few months, once claiming that his name was wrong and once citing other false reasons.
According to reliable sources, Deputy Defense Minister Major General Aruna Jayasekara has also tried to prevent Sonic Sonic from being questioned.
Finally, he was produced for questioning after the intervention of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
The question now arises as to whether the Deep State networks behind the Easter attacks also hold influential positions in this government as well.
Sonic Sonic, also known as S.I. Banadara, was identified as the person who asked ISIS to admit responsibility for the Easter attacks after the carnage. He made the request through a person named Matale Podi Saharan.
One thing police investigators want to know is who ordered Sonic Sonic to make such a request.
If he reveals the information, it will be possible to find the intelligence officers behind the Easter attacks.
If he does not provide any more information, he will most likely be arrested, informed sources say.
(@SLB)