A retired police commander has brought forth new revelations surrounding allegations that the former Sri Lankan government may have collaborated with a terrorist group for political gain, leading to the tragic 2019 Easter Sunday bombings that claimed the lives of hundreds, including Australians. The attacks, orchestrated by Islamic State-inspired terrorists on churches and luxury hotels, resulted in 269 fatalities, including two Australians, and left around 500 others injured.
The head of the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka is now urging the Australian government to support an independent investigation into these allegations. This call is echoed by survivor Chathudilla Weerasinghe from the Kingsbury hotel attack in Colombo, who emphasizes the need for an inquiry due to the coordinated nature of the bombings.
In September, UK’s Channel 4 aired claims by former government aide Asad Maulana, suggesting that a top intelligence official met with members of the terrorist group National Thowheed Jam’ath (NTJ) to aid former Sri Lankan president Gotabaya Rajapaksa in winning the government by creating a national security crisis.
Former deputy inspector general of police Ravi Seneviratne, who led the initial investigation into the bombings, has spoken out about alleged political interference that derailed the police probe. Seneviratne revealed that his team was removed from the case when Rajapaksa assumed office six months after the bombings, with 22 officers subsequently reassigned without explanation. An overseas travel ban was also imposed on over 700 officers under Seneviratne’s command, raising concerns about intimidation.
Seneviratne contends that military intelligence obstructed an earlier investigation into the NTJ’s role in the murder of two constables, which he believes could have prevented the Easter Sunday attacks. He accused military intelligence of providing “wrong information” to mislead investigators.
Asad Maulana’s claims of a meeting between NTJ terrorists and the head of military intelligence, Suresh Salley, have sparked demands for a thorough investigation. Sri Lankan intelligence agencies allegedly impeded police questioning of associates of the suicide bombers, citing national security operations.
Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, the head of the Catholic church in Sri Lanka, has called on the Australian government to support an international push for an independent investigation. He emphasized the need for transparency, free from political influence, and conducted according to international standards.
Despite denials from Rajapaksa and Salley, the gravity of the allegations has prompted calls for a comprehensive inquiry to uncover the truth behind the Easter Sunday bombings and the role, if any, played by Sri Lankan officials. Source – ABC News
