Mounting pressure over the Easter Sunday investigations has pushed the Catholic Church to call for accountability, demanding the removal of a senior defence official and the urgent creation of an Independent Prosecutor’s Office to restore public trust.
Pressure is intensifying on the government as the Catholic Church moves to formally request President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to remove Deputy Defence Minister Maj. Gen. retired Aruna Jayasekera from his post while investigations into the Easter Sunday attacks continue to unfold.
The call comes amid growing public concern over delays in delivering justice for the 2019 Easter Sunday carnage, with Church leaders stepping forward to demand greater accountability and transparency in the ongoing investigations.
Rev. Father Rohan Silva of the Centre for Society and Religion confirmed that steps are already underway to collect signatures from members of the Catholic clergy for a petition. The petition is expected to be handed over to the President within days as part of a coordinated effort to press for action.
The request follows renewed attention on the Easter Sunday attacks, which took place seven years ago, and questions surrounding the impartiality of investigations linked to individuals who previously held key security positions. Concerns have been raised about whether a fair inquiry can be conducted given past roles and affiliations.
According to Church representatives, the petition process began recently and is expected to conclude shortly, with plans to formally submit it to the President as public pressure continues to build.
At a recent event held in Colombo to launch a report titled Memory, Pain and Hope Seeking Justice Seven Years On, Rev. Father Silva reiterated the Church’s position that Jayasekera should step down to allow for an independent and unbiased investigation into the attacks.
He stated that the Church intends to formally request the President to remove the Deputy Minister in order to facilitate a credible and impartial probe into the Easter Sunday tragedy.
However, political voices have pushed back against this demand. Udaya Gammanpila, leader of the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya and a former minister, argued that there is no justification for removing Jayasekera. He maintained his long standing view that the attacks were orchestrated by Zaharan Hashim, who led the suicide bombings at the Shangri La Hotel in Colombo.
Meanwhile, Catholic Church spokesperson Rev. Father Cyril Gamini Fernando expressed confidence in the ongoing Criminal Investigation Department probe, which was launched following a complaint filed by Rev. Father Silva. While acknowledging that progress has been slow, he noted that the investigation has been systematic and that the Church is satisfied with its direction so far.
The spokesperson added that the complaint gained momentum following the broadcast of a UK television programme in September 2023 that explored alleged conspiracies linked to the Easter Sunday attacks, prompting renewed scrutiny.
Responding to recent statements made in Parliament, Rev. Father Fernando stressed the need for a thorough and independent investigation to identify individuals within the security forces and police who may have been involved in criminal activity. Particular attention was drawn to the Directorate of Military Intelligence and its alleged links to political influence.
He further questioned possible connections between past high profile incidents, including the assassination of journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge and the disappearance of media figure Prageeth Ekneligoda, highlighting concerns about patterns of impunity.
At the same time, the Church clarified that its allegations are directed at a limited group of individuals and not at the armed forces or police institutions as a whole, emphasising the importance of fairness and accountability.
Rev. Father Fernando also highlighted the urgent need to establish an Independent Public Prosecutor’s Office to ensure credible and impartial legal proceedings. He pointed to perceived shortcomings in the Attorney General’s Department, especially in handling sensitive and high profile cases, and stressed that an independent body would help rebuild public confidence in the justice system.
He noted that the government had previously committed to establishing such an office, with Cabinet approval reportedly granted in May 2025, yet implementation remains pending.
Further concerns were raised regarding alleged interference in the Easter Sunday investigations. Referring to a report submitted to the Fort Magistrate’s Court, Rev. Father Fernando claimed that individuals linked to military intelligence had continued to influence aspects of the probe, even after changes in government.
He recounted an incident in which investigators recorded a statement from a witness in Negombo, during which a military intelligence officer was allegedly present at the scene, raising questions about undue involvement.
Despite these developments, the Church maintains that it still expects the government to implement the recommendations of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the Easter Sunday attacks. The report, handed over in early 2021, has yet to be fully acted upon, further deepening frustration among victims and the wider public.
Attention has also been drawn to political developments that may have influenced accountability efforts. Last year, an attempt by the Opposition to move a no confidence motion against Jayasekera was blocked, with the ruling party arguing that parliamentary rules do not permit such action against a Deputy Minister.
In parallel, the Catholic Church has organised a series of commemorative and advocacy events to mark the anniversary of the attacks and to renew calls for justice. Religious services and prayers are scheduled to take place at key churches affected by the tragedy, including St. Anthony’s Church and St. Sebastian’s Church.
The Vatican’s representative in Sri Lanka is also expected to participate in a march from Negombo to St. Sebastian’s Church, symbolising continued international attention and solidarity with victims as the demand for truth and accountability remains unresolved.
