Former President Maithripala Sirisena has asked for six more years to complete his payment to the victims of the Easter Sunday bomb attacks. President’s Counsel Faizer Mustapha, appearing for Maithripala Sirisena, informed the Supreme Court that his client has already paid Rs. 58 million in compensation to the victims and further stated that the remaining Rs. 42 million will be paid within the next six years.
The court ordered that all dues to the victims need to be paid by the 30th of August, and if not, their assets could be auctioned, as pointed out by the judges. The counsel appearing for the victims said they have suffered enough and need to be compensated without further delay.
President’s Counsel Sanjeeva Jayawardena, appearing for a petitioner in one of the petitions, informed the court that despite former President Sirisena owning three properties as per his affidavit, he had not made a genuine effort to make the payment.
It was revealed that Maithripala Sirisena has acquired several properties since becoming president. Meanwhile, the court was informed that out of the Rs. 75 million ordered by the court, former IGP Pujith Jayasundera has paid only Rs. 1.9 million. The court was further informed that then Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando and former Chief of National Intelligence Sisira Mendis have paid the total amount of compensation ordered by the Supreme Court.
