Sri Lanka’s new government has announced a probe into the 2019 Easter bombings that killed 279 people, citing previous investigations that failed to identify all those responsible for the attack. The bombings, which targeted three churches and three hotels, were initially blamed on a local jihadist group. However, top Sri Lankan intelligence official Suresh Sallay was also accused of orchestrating the attack.
Authorities were faulted for not acting on warnings from an Indian intelligence agency that an attack was imminent, leading to questions about the effectiveness of previous investigations. Foreign minister Vijitha Herath announced the new probe, stating that evidence had been suppressed in earlier inquiries. The goal of the new investigation is to identify irregularities in previous investigations, uncover the culprits behind the attack, and ensure they face justice.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake recently dismissed intelligence chief Suresh Sallay, who was linked to the bombers in a report by British broadcaster Channel 4. The whistleblower in the report alleged that Sallay had met with the attackers before the bombings and allowed the attack to proceed in order to influence the presidential election in favor of Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Rajapaksa declared his candidacy just two days after the bombings and won in a landslide, pledging to combat Islamist extremists.
Despite the accusations, Sallay has denied any involvement in the bombings. Following Rajapaksa’s election win, Sallay was promoted to head Sri Lanka’s main spy agency. The decision to investigate the Easter bombings comes amid ongoing concerns about the handling of the attack and the lack of accountability for all those involved. The new government’s probe aims to shed light on the irregularities in previous investigations and ensure that all responsible parties are brought to justice.
The 2019 Easter bombings were the worst-ever attack against civilians in Sri Lanka, prompting questions about the country’s security measures and intelligence handling. The probe into the bombings seeks to address these concerns and ensure a thorough investigation into the incident. By exposing any irregularities in previous inquiries and identifying all those responsible for the attack, the government aims to bring closure to the victims and their families.
As the investigation into the Easter bombings unfolds, there is a renewed focus on the role of intelligence agencies and their responsibilities in preventing such attacks. The dismissal of Sri Lanka’s intelligence chief and the allegations against him have raised further questions about the government’s response to the bombings and the need for accountability. The outcome of the probe will be closely watched as Sri Lanka seeks to address the failures that led to the tragic events of 2019 and prevent similar attacks in the future.
