Retired Senior Deputy Inspector General (SDIG) of Police, Shani Abeyesekera, the former Director of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), has provided a detailed account of the events surrounding the April 21, 2019 attacks, asserting that they were the result of an organized crime backed by a premeditated conspiracy.
Abeyesekera emphasized that evidence uncovered so far points to the involvement of a specific group, with further investigations required to connect all the pieces. He underscored the importance of reviewing the statement from Anzeer Maulana, who claimed that one of the attackers contacted him on April 21, 2019, requesting assistance to evacuate a group member from the Taj Samudra hotel.
According to Abeyesekera, CCTV footage revealed that Jameel, who attempted to detonate a bomb at the Taj Samudra, received a phone call before leaving the hotel. Jameel was later located at the Tropical Inn lodge in Dehiwala, where he booked a room, left his backpack, and proceeded to a nearby mosque. Suspicious behavior led authorities to question him, during which he claimed to have had an argument with his wife, Omar Kaththa, who corroborated his story. An intelligence officer later spoke with Jameel through her phone.
Abeyesekera also recounted details of the investigation into the murder of two police officers in Vavunathivu on November 30, 2018. Initially, intelligence reports attributed the attack to the LTTE, but subsequent arrests revealed the involvement of the National Thawheed Jamath (NTJ), led by Zaharan. He expressed concerns over the misleading information provided by intelligence units, which significantly affected the investigation.
“While conducting a thorough investigation on December 3, 2018, State Intelligence Deputy Inspector General Nilantha Jayawardena informed us of a jacket allegedly used in the murder, found near a culvert. However, this evidence was questionable, as 72 hours had passed since the crime, making it unlikely for the scent to be present,” he explained.
Abeyesekera further highlighted the inconsistencies in intelligence reports, which misled investigators. Director of Army Intelligence Brigadier Chula Kodithuwakku had issued reports attributing the attack to the LTTE, but the arrest of “Gaffoor MAMA” on April 25 confirmed the NTJ’s responsibility. Abeyesekera questioned why intelligence units provided misleading information, even confusing the head of state.
At the Easter Sunday Commission, former Director of Army Intelligence Chula Kodithuwakku testified that it appeared the organization behind the attacks had received external funding, suggesting that this funding might have come from either his department or state intelligence services.
“We are committed to continuing this investigation and uncovering the truth,” Abeyesekera concluded.
Source – newsfirst.lk
