Key witness in Easter Sunday attack case left country, alleges Gammanpila

Former minister Udaya Gammanpila claims that the key witness in the case against Mohamed Ibrahim, who is accused in connection with the Easter Sunday attacks, has left the country, potentially paving the way for him to be acquitted.

The Attorney General's Department had filed charges against Ibrahim for allegedly concealing information and aiding terrorism.

Gammanpila said the main witness in the case was a woman who had worked as a domestic aide at Ibrahim’s residence.

However, when the case was called, the Attorney General informed the court that the witness had gone overseas for employment.

According to Gammanpila, the disappearance or departure of the key witness could create an opportunity for Ibrahim to be cleared of the charges.

He further stated that Ibrahim had lost two sons, a daughter-in-law and two grandchildren in the Easter attacks, adding that while the previous government did not support him, the current government was allegedly “repaying a debt of gratitude.”

Gammanpila also claimed that, for the first time in history, a main suspect in a CID investigation had been appointed director of the department, while another suspect had been appointed secretary to the ministry overseeing police.

He questioned why an independent investigation was not pursued and said the public deserved answers as to why investigations were allegedly being carried out by suspects themselves.