CID investigates election night coup

The Criminal Investigations Division (CID) obtained statements from Professor G.L. Peiris and former Deputy Secretary of the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) Udaya Gammanpila on Saturday (24) regarding the alleged coup attempt said to have taken place on the night of the presidential elections.

According to Gammanpila, the CID questioned Gammanpila and G.L. Peiris due to a complaint made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mangala Samaraweera regarding an alleged coup attempt.

“The minister made a complaint stating that the former Defence Secreatry, Gotabhaya Rajapaksa attempted a coup to prevent the final result from being released,” said Gammanpila, adding “G.L. and I were at Temple Trees from 2.30 to 6.30. But that was only because we knew president Mahinda Rajapaksa was going to lose. We were there to be with him and share his sorrow.”

Gammanpila confirmed that several discussions took place between Mahinda Rajapaksa, Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Lalith Weeratunga, Ajith Nirvaad Cabraal, several IGPs and Mahinda Balasooriya on whether to impose curfew to avoid any situations of unrest.

“It is customary to impose curfew after an election to avoid unnecessary situations, but the former president had a different view,” said Gammanpila, “because if we impose curfew the opposition might misunderstand.”

Minister of Health and Cabinet Spokesperson Dr. Rajitha Senarathne said that a coup attempt was going to take place on the night of the presidential elections, before the results were released to the public and several high ranking officials were involved.

Meanwhile, Chief Justice Mohan Peiris was also questioned on Friday (23) over the attempted coup at the Temple Trees after the 8 January Presidential Elections.

by Cassendra Doole

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