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Sri Lanka’s Minister of Public Security, Ananda Wijepala, has made a far-reaching and highly consequential disclosure regarding the ongoing investigations into the April 21, 2019 Easter Sunday suicide bombings. According to the Minister, investigators have uncovered sufficient and credible evidence to reasonably suspect that a former senior military intelligence official, retired Major General Tuan Suresh Salley, may have been involved in a conspiracy that facilitated the attacks by strategically directing Islamic extremist elements.
The suspect, who previously served as both Director of Military Intelligence and later as Director of the State Intelligence Service, is alleged to have played a pivotal role in enabling the environment that allowed the coordinated terror attacks to take place. These attacks devastated Sri Lanka, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of civilians, leaving many more seriously injured, causing widespread destruction of property, and triggering severe economic consequences. Additionally, the incident significantly strained inter-religious and inter-ethnic relations across the country.
Wijepala revealed that critical evidence points to a covert intelligence-gathering operation that took place approximately three weeks prior to the attacks. During this period, four Muslim individuals were allegedly deployed under the suspect’s direction to collect sensitive information from Catholic churches in the Negombo area. The data reportedly included details such as the number of worshippers attending services and other operationally significant information, which investigators believe may have been used in planning the scale and targets of the bombings.
A key development in the investigation involves a witness who reportedly identified one of the individuals involved from photographs maintained by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of persons suspected of links to Islamic extremism. Authorities have further determined that this individual was an ISIS ideologue who has remained missing since the Easter Sunday attacks.
The Minister also disclosed that intelligence warnings had been received in advance regarding a possible attack by the National Thowheed Jama’ath (NTJ), including its leader Zahran Hashim, who later emerged as a central figure in the bombings. These warnings were reportedly communicated by an informant residing in Panadura, who alerted military intelligence authorities about an imminent threat. However, according to Wijepala, this intelligence was not acted upon within the system, effectively allowing the attacks to proceed.
More concerning allegations have emerged regarding the treatment of the informant. The individual who provided the warning was reportedly unlawfully arrested and detained after sharing the intelligence. Although later released, the informant was subsequently summoned to a meeting at the Galadari Hotel in Colombo by Major General Salley. During this meeting, they are said to have discussed the matter in detail, and the suspect allegedly issued an apology to the informant.
Additional corroboration has been drawn from statements made by Mohamed Milar Mohamed Hanseer, also known as Azad Maulana, which were broadcast in a programme by the British television network Channel 4. According to the Minister, these disclosures support the assertion that a deliberate and structured background was orchestrated to facilitate the Easter Sunday attacks.
Wijepala emphasised that the April 21 attacks were not only acts of extreme violence but also events that caused deep and lasting damage to Sri Lanka’s national security, economy, and social cohesion. The attacks led to significant loss of life, large-scale injuries, destruction of infrastructure, and further exacerbated divisions among religious and ethnic communities.
Based on the evidence gathered, authorities now suspect that the retired Major General, as a senior intelligence figure, may have had prior knowledge of the plot and potentially participated in activities that both enabled the attacks and prevented the disclosure of critical intelligence before and after the incident.
The Minister stated that such actions fall under offences outlined in the Prevention of Terrorism Act No. 48 of 1979. These include providing direct or indirect support to terrorist activities, as well as assisting in concealing individuals or networks responsible for such acts. Investigations also suggest that deliberate efforts were made to suppress key information related to the attacks, contributing to the controversy surrounding one of the most serious incidents in Sri Lanka’s modern history.
Wijepala further detailed the procedures followed following the suspect’s arrest, stressing that all legal safeguards and human rights protections were strictly observed. Upon arrest, the suspect was granted full access to legal counsel and given the opportunity to consult with his lawyers. He was escorted to his residence, where his family was informed of the reasons for his arrest, and an official receipt was issued.
The Criminal Investigation Department formally notified the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka regarding the arrest and detention. The suspect was also presented before the Colombo Judicial Medical Officer. Detention orders were initially issued for 72 hours under the Prevention of Terrorism Act and later extended in accordance with Section 9 of the Act, allowing for continued detention and interrogation for up to 90 days.
The Magistrate’s Court of Colombo Fort was informed under case number B 35882/2024, naming the suspect as the third accused. He has since been produced in court as required during legal proceedings. Authorities also ensured that the suspect’s relatives were informed and that the Human Rights Commission received ongoing updates regarding his detention.
According to the Minister, the suspect has been granted regular access to his rights while in custody. This includes weekly meetings with legal counsel, scheduled telephone communication with close family members, and in-person visits. During visits, family members are permitted to provide essential items such as food, clothing, and personal necessities.
In line with amendments introduced under Act No. 12 of 2022 to the Prevention of Terrorism Act, the Colombo Fort Magistrate has conducted multiple visits to the CID detention facility to personally observe the suspect’s condition. During these inspections, no complaints of torture or inhumane treatment have been made. The Minister emphasised that, despite public speculation, no allegations of mistreatment have been formally lodged by the suspect.
Wijepala concluded by stating that investigations remain ongoing, with authorities continuing to pursue all leads in order to fully uncover the extent of the alleged conspiracy behind the Easter Sunday attacks—an event that remains one of the most tragic and defining moments in Sri Lanka’s recent history.
Adopted and expanded from a NewsFirst.