The Government will soon discuss with the Chief Justice on the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) recommendation to appoint a special Panel of Judges to hear the cases related to the Easter attacks to avoid any delays, said Education Minister Prof.G.L.Peiris.
He observed that the Government has made great strides in bringing to justice those who are responsible for the Easter Sunday terror attacks.
Prof.Peiris noted that the commitment of the Government to bring the culprits of the terrorist carnage to justice.
Minister Peiris made these observations moving the Adjournment Debate in Parliament yesterday (7) on the Final Report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) into the Easter Sunday Terror Attacks on April 21, 2019.
Prof. Peiris noted that the Easter Sunday Terror Attacks took place within just eight hours and the Government has a responsibility to ensure that such a situation does not recur in the country.
Regarding the Cabinet Sub Committee appointed on the terror attacks, Minister Peiris said that this Sub Committee was not appointed to conduct further investigations and make recommendations to the Government. He said the Report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the Easter Sunday Terror Attacks had a large number of pages and the Committee intends to study the report and identify issues that should be given more priority.
Prof. Peiris observed that, “If the law had been properly enforced after the Mawanella incident then, this tragedy would not have taken place. The arrested persons were released. There is a possibility of taking stern action against those Police officers”. Minister Peiris requested the Attorney General to see if action could be taken against the said parties.
Commenting on Madrasa schools, Minister Peiris said that there are about 365 Madrasa schools registered in the country. Professor Peiris emphasised the importance of establishing a proper mechanism to monitor these educational institutions. Minister Peiris pointed out that children below the age of 16 could not be sent to such schools as they could not receive a proper education through these institutes.
“Due to this, the children will not be able to find employment also,” the Minister said.
Prof. Peiris noted that Government intervention was essential in determining the curriculum taught in these schools. “This Commission report contains a number of practical recommendations in this regard,” he pointed out.
“The current laws are not sufficient to combat terrorism and further strengthening the existing laws is compulsory,” the Minister said.
