The Hon. Ananda Wijepala - Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, today’s debate is on the Easter Sunday attacks that took place six years ago. I wish to begin by correcting a statement made by a Hon. Member who, in speaking to the motion, distorted a statement by His Excellency President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the ceremony marking 50 years of service by His Eminence the Cardinal. Our President stated that the investigation into the Easter Sunday attacks has reached a point where the Government itself is being brought under scrutiny, and however difficult that may be, we will accomplish it. But the Hon. Member misrepresented the President as saying, “It is difficult; we have abandoned it.” I correct that misrepresentation as I join this debate.

¶ 02 On 21.04.2019, eight explosions targeted Catholic churches, hotels and other locations. As a result, 274 persons including 42 foreigners died, and 592 persons were seriously injured. Considerable property damage occurred at St. Anthony’s Shrine Kochchikade, St. Sebastian’s Church Katuwapitiya, Zion Church Batticaloa, Cinnamon Grand, Shangri-La, Kingsbury, Tropical Inn Dehiwala and the residence at Dematagoda. Investigations were first with the Colombo Crimes Division and thereafter with the CID. In the initial investigations, 747 suspects were arrested. After further inquiries, indictments were filed against 101 suspects in 42 cases.

¶ 03 I table those case details as Annex 1.

¶ 04 Further, the then Government on 22.04.2019 appointed an investigation committee chaired by Supreme Court Judge Vijith Malalgoda with former IGP N.K. Ilangakoon and former Secretary to the Ministry of Law and Order Padmasiri Jayamanne. Its report was handed to the then President but was not made public. We are prepared to refer it to the CID for investigation and, if necessary, to table it in Parliament. Then, a Special Parliamentary Select Committee was appointed in early July 2019, which presented observations and recommendations to Parliament.

¶ 05 Hon. Deputy Speaker, the attacks occurred during the period of the Ranil-Maithri and Sajith Premadasa Government. The then President Maithripala Sirisena appointed a Special Presidential Commission of Inquiry on 21.09.2019 chaired by Supreme Court Justice Janak de Silva, with Appellate Court Justice Nishshanka Bandula Karunaratne, Retired Appellate Court Justice Nihal Sunil Rajapaksa, Retired High Court Judge Bandula Kumara Atapattu and Retired Ministry Secretary W.M.M. Adhikari. Its report, in 87 volumes running to 67,738 pages, was handed over on 31.01.2021 and placed in the Library. It was received by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa who did not disclose its contents.

¶ 06 A serious and sensitive disclosure about the conspiracy was later made on Channel 4 by Asad Maulana, former media secretary to ex-Eastern Province Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan (Pillayan). Despite requests by the Catholic Church and His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith and others for an investigation into Asad Maulana’s statements and video, no Government conducted any such inquiry. Instead, on 15.09.2023 a committee chaired by Retired Judge S.I. Imam was appointed; and on 12.06.2024 another committee chaired by Retired High Court Judge Jayaki de Alwis was appointed to examine the Channel 4 claims. Both were appointed by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe. The Catholic Church and His Eminence rejected those committees as lacking credibility and said they would not accept their decisions; their reports were submitted to the then President.

¶ 07 Our President Anura Kumara Dissanayake pledged in his manifesto and publicly, including at Katuwapitiya, to conduct a proper investigation and deliver justice to the people, including the Catholic community, and to bring the perpetrators to justice. We have now commenced a structured investigation accordingly. Some speakers imply the attacks are linked to our time; however, the record is clear.

¶ 08 As pledged, we have begun investigations in an orderly and effective manner. Certain matters cannot be revealed here to avoid prejudicing ongoing investigations. I will disclose what can be disclosed.

¶ 09 After 18.11.2019, with the change of Government and assumption of office by Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the ongoing investigations were weakened: necessary facilities were denied, officers were transferred, removed, or obstructed, and the investigations were effectively wound down.

¶ 10 After President Anura Kumara Dissanayake won on 21.09.2024 and was sworn in on 23.09.2024, we restarted the investigations in earnest. Officers who had been removed from the CID in 2019 were recalled to resume the investigations and given directions to proceed. Steps necessary to re-energize the probe have been taken.

¶ 11 Regarding the Channel 4 revelations by Asad Maulana, under the guidance of the Attorney-General, a new investigation has been initiated so as not to prejudice the ongoing Easter trials: B 35882/2024 was reported to the Fort Magistrate’s Court on 13.11.2024. We are proceeding under the Attorney-General’s guidance.

¶ 12 Allegations that the Attorney-General intervened to grant bail to Pillayan are false and rejected. The CID and Police, with the Attorney-General’s guidance, are moving the investigations forward successfully.

¶ 13 The Presidential Commission’s report on the Easter attacks was, after three years, referred to the CID on 20.04.2025 by the President with directions to implement the recommendations. Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa did not publish it. Before tabling that report in Parliament, we will investigate its sensitive contents and conduct a genuine probe to bring the real criminals before the law.

¶ 14 Based on the 13.11.2024 Asad Maulana disclosures, the investigation is exploring whether there was a conspiracy, whether someone above Zaharan Hashim guided him, and which external parties assisted the group. We intend shortly to report substantive matters to court, which will reveal much more information.

¶ 15 Preceding the Easter attacks, on 26.12.2018, the Mawanella Buddha statue vandalism case was successfully investigated by the CID. In Kegalle High Court Trial-at-Bar Case TAB 4485/21, 13 out of 16 accused were convicted under 21 indictments and imprisoned.

¶ 16 Another significant pre-Easter event was the 30.11.2018 Vavunativu Police sentry attack, where two officers were killed by gunfire and sharp weapons. Investigations alleged that an ex-LTTE member, Ajanthan, was responsible; “evidence” such as his motorbike jacket was planted near the scene to mislead the probe. The CID has now uncovered that earlier investigations were false and misdirected. One TID officer has been arrested; the remaining suspects will be arrested shortly.

¶ 17 There are thousands of officers in intelligence services working with great dedication. As the President often states, a very small number across different levels have caused disrepute through actions taken for political agendas. The vast majority in State and Military Intelligence act with great honesty and dedication. I will not elaborate further now.

¶ 18 Hon. Deputy Speaker, I have a few minutes more. Please allow me.