Sri Lanka 's newly elected President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has vowed to reopen an investigation into the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks, which killed 270 people, including 45 foreign nationals, and injured over 500. The attacks, which targeted luxury hotels and churches during the Easter mass, were carried out by ISIS-backed suicide bombers.
Dissanayake made this commitment during a courtesy visit to the Archbishop of Colombo, Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith , following his victory in last weekend's presidential election. "The new president assured us that the truth on the Easter Sunday attacks would be brought to light," Cardinal Ranjith said.
Ranjith has been a vocal critic of previous investigations into the attacks, accusing both former Presidents Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Ranil Wickremesinghe of political interference. He has labelled the inquiry into the local jihadi group National Thowheeth Jama'ath (NTJ), which carried out the bombings, as a "political cover-up."
A prior investigation led by former president Maithripala Sirisena found him guilty of negligence for failing to prevent the attacks, despite receiving advance warnings from Indian intelligence. Sirisena was ordered to pay compensation of SRs 100 million (INR 27.4 million) to victims' families. Senior defence officials were also found guilty of ignoring the intelligence alerts.
Earlier this year, in June, former president Wickremesinghe had appointed a Committee of Inquiry (CoI) to review the actions of Sri Lankan intelligence services and evaluate their responses to the warnings from Indian authorities. The committee, led by retired High Court judge A.N.J. De Alwis, was granted full authority to question officials and examine key documents to ensure accountability.
President Dissanayake’s commitment to a renewed investigation has been welcomed by the Catholic Church. Cardinal Ranjith expressed hope that the newly elected leader will usher in the much-needed changes in the country, acknowledging the challenges ahead. "The people have entrusted the new president with significant responsibility," the Cardinal remarked, assuring Dissanayake of his full support while urging him to prioritise the needs of the poor.
Dissanayake made this commitment during a courtesy visit to the Archbishop of Colombo, Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith , following his victory in last weekend's presidential election. "The new president assured us that the truth on the Easter Sunday attacks would be brought to light," Cardinal Ranjith said.
Ranjith has been a vocal critic of previous investigations into the attacks, accusing both former Presidents Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Ranil Wickremesinghe of political interference. He has labelled the inquiry into the local jihadi group National Thowheeth Jama'ath (NTJ), which carried out the bombings, as a "political cover-up."
A prior investigation led by former president Maithripala Sirisena found him guilty of negligence for failing to prevent the attacks, despite receiving advance warnings from Indian intelligence. Sirisena was ordered to pay compensation of SRs 100 million (INR 27.4 million) to victims' families. Senior defence officials were also found guilty of ignoring the intelligence alerts.
Earlier this year, in June, former president Wickremesinghe had appointed a Committee of Inquiry (CoI) to review the actions of Sri Lankan intelligence services and evaluate their responses to the warnings from Indian authorities. The committee, led by retired High Court judge A.N.J. De Alwis, was granted full authority to question officials and examine key documents to ensure accountability.
President Dissanayake’s commitment to a renewed investigation has been welcomed by the Catholic Church. Cardinal Ranjith expressed hope that the newly elected leader will usher in the much-needed changes in the country, acknowledging the challenges ahead. "The people have entrusted the new president with significant responsibility," the Cardinal remarked, assuring Dissanayake of his full support while urging him to prioritise the needs of the poor.
