Former President Maithripala Sirisena has petitioned for an additional six years to fulfill the total compensation amount for the victims of the Easter Sunday attacks.
President's Counsel Faizer Mustapha, representing Maithripala Sirisena, informed the Supreme Court that his client has already disbursed Rs. 58 million in compensation to the victims. He further assured that the remaining Rs. 42 million would be paid within the next six years.
In a verdict dated January 12, 2023, the Supreme Court directed the former President, who served as the Minister of Defence at the time, to pay Rs. 100 million as compensation to the attack victims.
However, President's Counsel Sanjeeva Jayawardena, representing a petitioner, informed the court that despite Sirisena declaring ownership of five properties in his affidavit, he has not made sincere efforts towards payment.
Meanwhile, it was disclosed to the court that former IGP Pujith Jayasundera has only paid Rs. 1.9 million out of the Rs. 75 million he was ordered to pay. In contrast, Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando and former Chief of National Intelligence Sisira Mendis have settled the full compensation amount mandated by the Supreme Court.
