Sri Lanka: Key Suspect Arrested in Easter Sunday Attack Probe; Church Warns Against Obstructing Justice

In a significant development in the long-running investigation into the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of Sri Lanka arrested the former Director General of the State Intelligence Service (SIS), Suresh Sallay, on February 25.

The arrest has sparked intense public debate, with some quarters labeling the move as inappropriate. Following the arrest, a special media briefing was held by high-ranking police officials to provide official clarification.

Legal Proceedings and the "Mastermind" Question

During the briefing, the Police Media Spokesperson confirmed that the former Intelligence Chief is currently being held for 72 hours of questioning. Under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), authorities may seek a detention order to hold a suspect for up to 90 days if necessary, or produce them before a court for further action.

When questioned by journalists whether Suresh Sallay was arrested as the "mastermind" behind the attacks, a theory that has circulated for years, Senior Deputy Inspector General (SDIG) Sanjeewa Medawatta maintained a cautious stance, stating that such a determination could only be made following thorough interrogation and evidence gathering.

The Church’s Response: "Do Not Politicize the Truth"

On February 26, the spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Colombo, Fr. Cyril Gamini, held a press conference to address the various interpretations surrounding the arrest. He stated firmly that the Church rejects any attempts to spread misinformation or provide "distorted interpretations" of the legal process.

"Attempting to mislead the public regarding this arrest is a grave injustice to the victims," Fr. Cyril Gamini remarked. He highlighted several key points regarding the necessity of a transparent investigation:

• A National Tragedy: He reminded the public that the 2019 bombings were a "barbaric attack" that claimed over 300 lives, including people of all religions and ethnicities.

• The Rule of Law: Finding the truth, he argued, is essential to prove that the law applies to everyone. "If we fail, it sends a message that criminals can hide and that there is no reason to fear the law. We cannot accept that."

• Independent Investigation: Fr. Cyril urged all parties to stop politicizing the matter and to allow the CID to conduct its independent investigation without interference.

• The Question of Conspiracy: He emphasized that the nation needs to know if there was a "political conspiracy" behind the attacks, and if so, who orchestrated it.

"We view any attempt to disrupt this investigation as a crime against the victims who were killed or disabled in these attacks. We ask everyone: do not obstruct this process. Let the investigation proceed so we may finally see a result."

Fr. Cyril Gamini concluded by calling for patience from the public as the legal system takes its course, reiterating that the Church’s primary goal remains the pursuit of truth and justice for the victims.