Nilantha Jayawardena Dismissed from Police Service

22-Jul-2025

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Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police Nilantha Jayawardena has been dismissed from the police service following disciplinary proceedings. 

Jayawardena, who was the head of the National Intelligence Service during the Easter Sunday attacks on April 21, 2019, was found guilty of negligence and failure to prevent the attacks despite receiving prior intelligence on April 4 of that year.

The Presidential Commission of Inquiry had previously recommended actions against him for deliberately ignoring crucial intelligence reports. 

As a result, the National Police Commission took disciplinary steps, and he was officially removed from his position after being found guilty on all charges.

Furthermore, the Supreme Court ordered Jayawardena to pay Rs. 75 million in compensation from his personal funds to the victims of the Easter Sunday bombings. 

A formal charge sheet had been filed against him in October 2023. 

The Police Commission launched a disciplinary inquiry in March 2024, and the final report submitted on July 4, 2025, led to his dismissal. 

The Chairman of the Police Commission, Lalith Ekanayake, confirmed the action.