Hotel Security Manager refutes police officers claims

We have allowed them to be present in uniform when events with VIPS are held. But we inform them to conceal their weapons. Even for the STF we requested them to use pistols, not rifles

Denying the claims made by the Police officers to the Presidential Commission on Easter Sunday attacks, Manager - Security at Cinnamon Grand Priyanga Dissanayake yesterday said that the hotel management did not inform the Police that the Hotel Security will take responsibility of security inside the premises.

Responding to a question by Chairman of the PCOI, Court of Appeal Judge Janak de Silva, witness said that if the hotel staff and guests were warned earlier about the attacks they could have taken appropriate measures to prevent it.

The Chairman said that several police officers who had testified earlier before the Commission provided evidence saying that the hotels did not want police officers in uniform to operate inside the premises.

“We have allowed them to be present in uniform when events with VIPS are held. But we inform them to conceal their weapons. Even for the STF we requested them to use pistols, not rifles. There are a lot of foreign guests and they don’t like it,” Dissanayake said.

Witness also added that they would like if the state intelligence services go through the names of the guests and warn them. But the staff had not received any intelligence warning about any potential terror attacks.