Former President Maithripala Sirisena has been directed to present a formal statement

  In a recent development at the Maligakanda Magistrate's Court in Colombo, Former President Maithripala Sirisena has been directed to p...

 

In a recent development at the Maligakanda Magistrate's Court in Colombo, Former President Maithripala Sirisena has been directed to present a formal statement on April 4th. This directive follows the remarks he made concerning the 2019 Easter Sunday Terror Attacks.

On March 22nd, the former President publicly announced that he possesses crucial information related to the individuals responsible for orchestrating the Easter Sunday attacks. This revelation stirred significant attention and concern, leading to multiple complaints being lodged with the Criminal Investigation Department by various parties.

Taking note of the gravity of the situation, Minister of Public Security, Tiran Alles, instructed the Inspector General of Police, Deshabandu Tennakoon, to launch an investigation into the claims made by the former President.

In response to the ongoing inquiries and to provide clarity on his statements, Former President Maithripala Sirisena voluntarily appeared before the Criminal Investigation Department on March 25th. He was questioned for an extensive period, exceeding five hours, regarding his recent comments and the information he claimed to possess about the Easter Sunday attacks.
 

Conspiracies and Unanswered Questions: The Easter Attacks in Sri Lanka

The Easter Sunday bombings of 2019, targeting churches and hotels in Sri Lanka, remain a deeply painful chapter in the country's history. While the Islamic State group (ISIS) claimed responsibility, numerous conspiracies and unanswered questions continue to linger. This report examines the accusations against the former Sri Lankan government and recent developments related to the attacks.

Accusations Against the Former Government

Intelligence Failures: There were repeated warnings from Indian intelligence agencies about impending suicide attacks before the Easter Sunday bombings. The former government, led by Maithripala Sirisena and Ranil Wickremesinghe, has been accused of failing to act on these warnings.
Internal Conflict: Accusations point to a possible internal power struggle within the government, with some suggesting certain factions might have deliberately ignored the warnings to weaken the President or discredit rival security agencies.
Neglect of National Security: The emphasis on post-war reconciliation efforts under the former administration is seen by some as a potential reason for neglecting national security priorities.

Developments and Investigations

• Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI): A Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) was established to investigate the attacks. The PCoI report, released in 2021, highlighted intelligence failures and communication lapses but did not conclusively assign blame.
• Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith's Accusations: Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, the Archbishop of Colombo, has publicly criticized the government's handling of the attacks and expressed suspicion that the bombings were politically motivated.
• Ongoing Investigations: Sri Lankan authorities continue to investigate the attacks, with recent arrests and indictments against alleged members of the local Islamist group, National Thowheeth Jama'ath (NTJ), believed to be responsible for the bombings.

Challenges and Concerns

• Lack of Transparency: The secrecy surrounding some aspects of the investigation and the PCoI report's limitations fuel public discontent and hinder closure for the victims' families.
• Political Interference: Concerns remain about potential political interference in the investigation, hindering a full and transparent disclosure of all facts.
• National Security Gaps: The Easter Attacks exposed vulnerabilities in Sri Lanka's national security apparatus. Addressing these gaps remains crucial to prevent future attacks.
• Conclusion:

Conspiracy theories surrounding the Easter Attacks persist due to unanswered questions and accusations against the former government. While investigations continue, a lack of transparency and concerns about political interference hinder achieving full closure. Sri Lanka requires a renewed commitment to transparency and a thorough investigation to ensure justice for the victims and prevent future tragedies.

References:

• Al Jazeera: https://www.aljazeera.com/where/sri-lanka/
• BBC: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/cdmmjkw6krwt
• The Hindu: https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/sri-lanka-will-investigate-allegations-of-intelligence-complicity-in-2019-easter-bombings/article67277599.ece
• International Crisis Group: https://www.crisisgroup.org/asia/south-asia/sri-lanka