Colombo, April 22: A Sri Lankan court on Wednesday ordered the continued detention of former intelligence chief Major General (Retd.) Suresh Sallay in connection with the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings, as investigations into one of the country’s deadliest terror attacks continue to widen.
Sallay, who previously headed the State Intelligence Service, was arrested on February 25 and has been in custody for questioning as part of efforts to identify the alleged mastermind behind the coordinated suicide attacks.
He was later named as a third suspect in the ongoing probe, prompting the court to extend his detention. Authorities also barred family visits, as he is being held under the Counter Terrorism Act.
The 2019 Easter Sunday attacks, carried out by nine suicide bombers linked to a local Islamist extremist group affiliated with ISIS, targeted three Catholic churches and three luxury hotels on April 21, 2019.
The explosions killed nearly 270 people, including 11 Indians, and injured more than 500 others, sending shockwaves across Sri Lanka and beyond.
Earlier proceedings had already prompted the court to order his production before it after his name surfaced in the investigation.
The case remains politically sensitive, with Sri Lanka’s Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith recently urging authorities to pursue accountability against all individuals involved, regardless of rank or position.
The previous government was accused of failing to act on intelligence warnings, including information shared by India, which could have helped prevent the attacks.
The current National People’s Power (NPP) administration reopened the investigation in 2024, alleging that earlier political interference contributed to a cover-up and delayed justice for victims.
The renewed probe reflects continued efforts in Sri Lanka to uncover the full network behind the coordinated bombings and ensure accountability for one of the country’s most devastating terror incidents. (PTI)
