Sri Lanka’s new government has announced a probe into the 2019 Easter bombings that killed 279 people, with officials stating that previous investigations failed to identify all those responsible for the attack. The bombings, carried out by a local jihadist group, targeted three churches and three hotels, but there were allegations against a top Sri Lankan intelligence official for orchestrating the attack as well. Authorities were criticized for not acting on warnings from an Indian intelligence agency about the imminent threat.
Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath stated that previous investigations had irregularities and suppressed evidence, leading the government to want to take a fresh look at the incident, expose the culprits, and bring them to justice. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake recently dismissed Sri Lanka’s intelligence chief Suresh Sallay, who was linked with the bombers according to a report by British broadcaster Channel 4. The report alleged that Sallay had met with the attackers prior to the bombings and had allowed the attack to proceed to influence the presidential election in favor of Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
In the aftermath of the bombings, Rajapaksa declared his candidacy for president and won the November election in a landslide victory, promising to eradicate Islamist extremists. Despite the allegations against him, Sallay has denied any involvement in the bombings and was promoted to head Sri Lanka’s main intelligence agency following Rajapaksa’s win. The government is now seeking to uncover the truth behind the Easter bombings, address any irregularities in previous investigations, and ensure that all those responsible for the attack are held accountable.
The probe into the Easter bombings comes after criticism of the previous investigations which were found to have failed to identify all culprits involved in the attack. The government’s announcement of a fresh inquiry aims to uncover any irregularities in past investigations, shed light on the true perpetrators of the bombings, and bring them to justice. The dismissal of Sri Lanka’s intelligence chief Suresh Sallay, who was allegedly linked to the attackers, has raised further questions about the handling of the case and the possible interference in the investigation.
The allegations against Sallay, who denies any involvement in the bombings, have led to concerns about the integrity of Sri Lanka’s intelligence agencies and the need for a thorough and transparent investigation. With the government’s commitment to uncovering the truth behind the Easter bombings and ensuring that all responsible parties are held accountable, there is hope for justice for the victims and their families. The probe into the attack and the dismissal of key officials involved in the case signal a renewed effort by the government to address the failures of the past investigations and bring closure to one of the deadliest attacks in Sri Lanka’s history.
