Today (21) marks the sixth anniversary of the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks. On this solemn occasion, United Republican Front leader Patali Champika Ranawaka held a press conference and raised several concerns and unresolved matters surrounding the 2019 tragedy.
Speaking from the party office in Narahenpita, Ranawaka delivered a detailed and wide-ranging address. The key points from his speech are as follows:
A Black Day
Ranawaka opened by acknowledging that April 21 is a dark day in the history of Sri Lanka. He recalled how, six years ago, Islamic extremists carried out a coordinated series of suicide bombings targeting Christian churches and international hotels. The attacks killed 268 people and injured over 500 others.
Foreign Terrorist Involvement
He emphasized that a defining feature of the attacks was that they were conducted in the name of a foreign terrorist organization. He pointed out that the ISIS headquarters had reportedly orchestrated this assault as retaliation for an earlier attack by a Christian terrorist against Muslim worshippers in New Zealand.
Failure to Heed Warnings
Ranawaka expressed serious concern about the inaction of the country’s security services, despite having received prior intelligence. He stated that the authorities were informed well in advance and had possessed intelligence on the terrorist group as far back as 2014. He added that the country’s intelligence services had a clear understanding of the group’s activities and affiliations.
“This case is unique in that, even after receiving specific information, the security forces failed to act in preventing or controlling the attack. There was knowledge about the terrorist group going back to at least 2014, and our intelligence agencies had a clear understanding of their movements and networks,” he said.
Political Exploitation
Ranawaka accused former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa of using the Easter Sunday tragedy as a political tool to secure victory in the 2019 presidential election. He claimed that after coming into power, Rajapaksa obstructed investigations and discouraged investigators from pursuing the truth. He also noted that certain politicians and business figures were accused during this period, but inquiries stalled under the new administration.
Anura Kumara’s Administration
While expressing hope that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s administration would take a more impartial and professional approach to the investigation, Ranawaka remained skeptical. He said that despite initial efforts, he did not believe the current government could properly resolve the matter.
“That is why Mr. Anura Dissanayake came into office with the promise of a civilized and impartial process. Investigations have commenced, cases have been filed, and convictions secured, including that of former President Maithripala Sirisena and others. The victims were awarded compensation as ordered by the Supreme Court. We also testified before the Presidential Commission. Still, many matters remain unresolved,” he said.
Significance of the FBI Report
Ranawaka highlighted the importance of the FBI report filed in a U.S. court in connection with the murder of four American citizens. The report targets three individuals, including Naufer Maulavi, and includes crucial phone and laptop data. He stressed that the report is not speculative but grounded in scientifically validated evidence.
“This 72-page indictment contains very specific allegations and detailed descriptions of the terrorist group. After reading it, it’s evident that this document is not based on rumors but on hard data—including phone records and laptop content that link these individuals to the international ISIS network. It’s a professionally compiled report,” he said.
Ibrahim Family’s Involvement
Ranawaka went on to reveal that the FBI report also implicates the Ibrahim family, who are currently out on bail. According to him, the family was identified as the main financier of the attacks. Several members of the family were among the suicide bombers who carried out the Easter Sunday attack.
“The FBI report states that Naufer Maulavi and his associates had been openly declaring themselves ISIS members on Facebook since 2015. A family that is now out on bail was the primary financier of these attacks. Several members of that family died in the bombings,” he said.
He added that in any other country, such property would have been seized and used to compensate the victims. He pledged to make a more detailed statement in the future regarding the family’s business activities in Sri Lanka and their political affiliations.
“We will soon provide a more comprehensive explanation about how the Ibrahim family is linked to terrorism, their ongoing business operations, and their connections with political parties and leaders,” Ranawaka stated.
Three Possible Conclusions
Ranawaka outlined three potential conclusions that investigators might reach about the attack:
- It was an isolated act carried out by Zaharan Hashim and his followers under foreign instruction.
- A political faction that lost power in 2015 used religious extremists as pawns to regain control.
- Zaharan and ISIS operatives executed the attack by either collaborating with or deceiving members of the security forces, while both political factions used the chaos to serve their own agendas.
The President’s Broken Promise
Ranawaka pointed out that President Dissanayake’s promise to reveal the true masterminds by April 21 went unfulfilled. He said this failure indicates that the current government, like the previous one, is also entangled in the matter. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, too, failed in this regard due to links between those in power and the masterminds.
Media Leaks and Misinformation
Ranawaka warned that the media is being misled by some police officers and Ministry of Public Security officials who leak false information to boost their own reputations. He also alleged that some of these individuals maintain ties with drug traffickers associated with the former Rajapaksa administration.
Missing Testimony and the Need for Transparency
Ranawaka expressed regret that his vital testimony to the Presidential Commission had not been included in the final report. He said a fresh investigation using his full testimony could yield important breakthroughs.
Preventing Future Tragedies
He cautioned that given the current situation in Gaza and the arrival of Israeli tourists in Sri Lanka, extremist groups might exploit tensions to trigger new incidents. He reminded the public that countries like the Maldives have already banned Israeli visitors and urged vigilance to prevent a second attack, which could severely damage the country’s economy and social stability.
Ranawaka concluded by urging the current government to take concrete steps to ensure that such incidents never happen again and noted that he is monitoring the activities of certain officials within the Ministry of Public Security closely.
Journalist Q&A Session
Question:
There have been claims that Ravi Seneviratne and Shani Abeysekara were involved in the Easter Sunday investigations. Many argue that investigations cannot proceed properly under their oversight, and there are reports of legal challenges being prepared. What is your response?
Answer:
Yes, this has been clearly stated in the Jaiki Alwis report. The deaths in Vavunathivu, the killings of police officers, the abduction of weapons, and the incidents in Lakdawatte were all investigated by the CID. Had proper progress been made on those cases, the Easter Sunday attacks might have been prevented. The report recommends disciplinary action against both officers for failing in their duties.
That said, I have no objection to using the expertise of Mr. Shani Abeysekara or Mr. Ravi Seneviratne in unrelated cases, such as the Wasim Thajudeen murder. But for the Easter Sunday case, they should not be involved. There are clear divisions in the police, military, and intelligence services, and these officers are aligned with one particular faction.
This investigation cannot be conducted within such partisan frameworks. Both this government and the previous one are aligned with different factions. Investigating the attacks through those same groups will not bring justice. What we need is an independent, nonpartisan body to lead the investigation—only then can we expect a real solution.
