MR Opposes Moves To Disclose Names Of Extremist Militants Who Received Payments From Ministry Of Defence

Former President and Oppostion Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa said he did not agree with the moves by the Parliamentary Select Committee to seek a list of names of Thowheed Jamaath activists who received money from the Defence Ministry.

Speaking to the media in Tangalle, Rajapaksa said it was a normal practice to pay informants working within terrorist organizations. "That's now intelligence agencies operate. It is wrong to reveal their names and expose them to grave security threats."

The Opposition Leader added that the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on the Easter Sunday explosion is driven by political motives.

The UPFA and the Joint Opposition, however, have decided to refrain from participating in the Parliamentary Select Committee.

Rajapaksa also added that the primary responsibility for the Easter Sunday attacks lies with the current government.