Former Director of the State Intelligence Service (SIS) and Senior Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Nilantha Jayawardena has fully settled the compensation arrears owed to the victims of the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks, his legal counsel informed the Supreme Court today.
Jayawardena appeared before a seven-member bench led by Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya in relation to contempt of court charges, stemming from his failure to complete the Rs. 75 million compensation ordered by the court. The hearing, initially adjourned to 1:30 p.m., resumed after Jayawardena’s legal team confirmed that the remaining Rs. 65 million had been paid.
President’s Counsel Chandaka Jayasundara, representing Jayawardena, explained that his client, as an active police officer, was unable to personally secure funds from external sources. However, friends of Jayawardena contributed to settle the outstanding amount, which was transferred to the Office for Reparations earlier today.
The Additional Solicitor General, representing the Attorney General, confirmed that the Office for Reparations had received the payment. Jayawardena also offered an apology to the court for the delay in completing the payments.
The case is scheduled to be recalled on November 18, 2024.
