Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) conducting investigations into the Easter Sunday attacks, has directed the former President Maithripala Sirisena, his Private Secretary Sameera de Silva to appear before it today, Thursday, at 10.30 am.

Presidential Commission of Inquiry made this order sequel to the submissions made by Attorney-at-Law Dilshan Jayasuriya appearing for ex-Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando, on Tuesday, that former President Maithripala Sirisena had placed ex-Defence Secretary’s life at risk by issuing a media statement that the evidence given by the latter before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) investigating the Easter Sunday attacks was “malicious and fictitious.

Additional Solicitor General Jinasena, PC stated that the former President Maithripala Sirisena could be charged under the provisions of the Presidential Commission Act and also the Victims and Witnesses Protection Act. A press release of that nature should not have been issued relating to the proceedings of the PCoI.

She added that the aforesaid controversial media release was still available on Sirisena’s Facebook page.