The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition

¶ 01 Mr. Speaker, at this adjournment I move the following:

¶ 02 “Seven years have elapsed since the heinous Easter Sunday attack of 21 April 2019. Each successive government pledged to bring the mastermind to justice, yet those pledges remain unfulfilled to this day. As the reports of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry and other inquiries into this atrocity have been confined to stores and libraries, the path to justice has fallen victim to political propaganda.

¶ 03 Therefore, this House urges that all reports of investigations conducted so far be made available for public use to reveal the truth, and that justice for the victims be ensured through independent and transparent processes.”

¶ 04 Mr. Speaker, I have, on multiple occasions, presented our views, proposals and convictions on this matter—personally on 22 September 2023, 24 April 2024, and 9 July 2025 in this House. Our position has not changed. Justice must be delivered to all who were killed, maimed, and whose families suffered irreparable harm.

¶ 05 We firmly reject attempts to manipulate investigations for political advantage or to bolster political leaders. The expectation of the victims—and ours—is to uncover the truth: what actually happened, who was behind these terror attacks, and who the masterminds were. All involved must be brought before the law and punished. To find the truth, investigations must be transparent. While domestic investigations proceed, it is important to enlist international agencies such as Scotland Yard and the FBI.

¶ 06 There are specific matters that require inquiry. In 2018, two police officers at Vavunativu were murdered. Some alleged a person named “Ajanthan” did it and linked it to LTTE revival. Is that true or false? Was the murder weapon found? If so, where? Investigate and establish the truth.

¶ 07 Following the attack, the FBI assisted by examining computers, phones and digital media. An IP address linked to the highest number of calls with Zahran was identified. Whose IP address and phone were these? We hear there were pressures on SP Darshika and intelligence heads not to investigate citing “sensitivity.” Is that true? This must be clarified.

¶ 08 We also heard of an individual known as “Sonic Sonic,” allegedly connected with “Podi Zahran,” and that the SIM linked to that IP was obtained through a person associated with intelligence and a police officer’s associate. Were there attempts to block inquiries into this citing sensitivity? These claims must be investigated.

¶ 09 Another matter: the terrorist Jameel, who allegedly went to attack Taj Samudra, failed to detonate and moved to Tropical Inn; earlier, he went to a church. It is said an intelligence officer had been at Jameel’s house around that time. Is that true? Investigate.

¶ 10 We also need to know whether phones used by intelligence officers who went to Jameel’s house link to addresses such as the “Bauddhaloka Mawatha” area, and whether those numbers tie to attacks on Lasantha Wickrematunge, Keith Noyahr and Upali Tennakoon. These issues have been raised in this House since 2021. Probe and disclose the truth.

¶ 11 Jameel’s brother is said to have met a police officer named Maghazil, warning that Jameel was expressing extremist views. Is that accurate? Only transparent inquiries—not vendettas—can establish this. We must identify the real planners and masterminds behind the Easter plot.

¶ 12 Regarding the Saindamarudu blast: a weapon recovered there had reportedly been issued in 2008 at Eravur Police to Adam Lebbe. It has been claimed the Vavunativu murders were done with that weapon. Is that true? Investigate.

¶ 13 There is also talk of a key figure named “Sara Jasmine” as crucial evidence. Sixteen persons were said to be missing from that blast site. Three DNA tests were conducted: the first and second allegedly said no such person; the third reportedly said the opposite. Were these tests guided to reach a pre‑determined conclusion? This too must be examined.

¶ 14 We have also heard that at the Galanigama exit, a lorry was allowed through on the instruction of a senior police officer; it is recorded in a log. Is that true, and does that log exist? Some suspect it was the bomb lorry as bomb assembly was said to be at Panadura. Investigate.

¶ 15 Further, the then Eastern Province Governor was also the current Minister of State for Defence. What were his duties, responsibilities and actions at the time? Zahran’s wife, Hadiya, has stated Zahran used the Threema app to communicate with a person called “Omar,” and asked her to leave the room during calls. Is this true? Foreign intelligence reportedly repeatedly warned Sri Lankan intelligence of imminent attacks. What actions were taken?

¶ 16 It is also alleged that the two sons of Ibrahim, a former National List MP of the JVP, were among the suicide bombers, and that Ibrahim financed extremists. These matters must be investigated.

¶ 17 Some in the past even named MPs as masterminds—at times naming Rishad Bathiudeen or Attorney Hejaaz Hizbullah. Today, it is said Hon. Mujibur Rahuman opposed investigations to protect that lawyer. Are these claims true or false? We believe they are false—but they must be examined.

¶ 18 We do not approach this through ethnic or religious prisms, nor for political gain. It is widely accepted there was a “hidden hand” behind Zahran’s team. The public confidence in inquiries has been eroded due to past actions. Therefore, engaging FBI, Scotland Yard and other professional agencies, and ensuring independent, transparent investigations, is essential. Deliver the harshest penalties under law to all involved. I move accordingly.