Former intelligence chief arrested in Sri Lanka Easter Sunday bomb blasts case

Alleged role in assisting and facilitating the bomb attacks

Colombo (Sri Lanka) – Former Sri Lankan intelligence chief Major General Suresh Sallay has been arrested in connection with the 2019 Easter Sunday church bomb blasts. He has been accused of playing a role in planning and facilitating the terrorist attacks.

According to a documentary aired by the British broadcaster Channel 4, Sallay allegedly orchestrated the bomb blasts to create an atmosphere of fear in the country in order to help the Rajapaksa family win elections.

India had reportedly shared intelligence inputs with Sri Lankan authorities weeks before the attacks; however, the blasts could not be prevented. More than 250 people were killed in the coordinated bombings. The attacks were carried out by local jihadist organisations, particularly National Thowheed Jamath (NTJ) and Jammiyathul Millathu Ibrahim.

At the time of the bombings, Sri Lanka was under the government led by Ranil Wickremesinghe. The intelligence failure had drawn sharp criticism against his administration.