President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has dropped a political bombshell, confirming that one or two former military officers are set to be arrested over the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings. He accused past governments of sabotaging investigations, deleting evidence, and protecting key suspects, but vowed that justice will finally be served.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has revealed that one or two former military officers will soon be arrested in connection with the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks, a tragedy that killed more than 250 people and left Sri Lanka shaken to its core.
Speaking to the Sri Lankan community in the United States, the President said the current government inherited a deeply flawed and compromised investigation. He stressed that a fresh probe may be required to uncover the truth, as political interference and cover-ups have plagued the pursuit of justice.
“The investigation is now focused on identifying those who are truly responsible for the attacks,” Dissanayake said. “A major reason for the delay in justice is politics. After the bombings, some of the very individuals suspected of involvement rose to power and held key positions. How can a proper investigation happen under such circumstances?”
The President accused previous authorities of deliberately deleting, hiding, and altering evidence to mislead investigators. He admitted that internal sabotage had crippled the original probe, pointing to the recent arrests of CID officers who had allegedly played a role in covering up the truth.
“This was not an incident that happened yesterday. It is something we inherited under complex and compromised circumstances,” he explained. “But I believe the CID has the capacity to deliver justice.”
The Easter Sunday bombings remain one of the darkest chapters in Sri Lanka’s modern history. For years, victims’ families and the Catholic Church have demanded accountability, accusing successive governments of shielding powerful figures. Dissanayake’s comments now signal a possible turning point, with arrests of ex-military personnel expected to break years of impunity.
As Sri Lanka watches closely, the President’s pledge raises hopes that justice—long delayed—may finally be delivered.
