In an explosive address to Parliament, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake exposes destroyed evidence, torn reports and a hidden mastermind behind the Easter Sunday attacks, vowing that no obstruction or cover-up will stop the truth from finally emerging.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake told Parliament that although evidence linked to the Easter Sunday attacks has been destroyed, the government will not step back from revealing the full truth behind the massacre. He said that although pages have been torn from key reports, the government has already begun collecting fresh evidence to rebuild the investigation into the Easter attack. The President reaffirmed his position by stating, “Even though the evidence has been destroyed, we will reveal the truth.”
He emphasized that Criminal Investigation Department Chief Shani Abeysekara and Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security Ravi Seneviratne are working day and night to uncover the truth behind the Easter Sunday attacks. He assured Parliament and the public that “they will reveal the truth before long,” expressing confidence that the renewed investigation will expose the hidden mastermind and all those involved in the cover-up.
The President said, “Statements alone are not enough to file a case in court. We conduct investigations in a court of law. Evidence is needed to confirm. Phone analysis, if there are any connections, is that necessary. Isn’t the mastermind the killer that we need to identify?” He added that the Easter attack should have been investigated in the heat of the moment, but that opportunity was lost.
According to the President, once political power shifted to groups suspected of involvement, critical evidence was covered up and pages from essential documents were torn out. He highlighted the contrast in progress by pointing out that suspects in recent murders have been arrested within three days, while the Easter investigation stalled due to interference. He explained that nearly 500 Criminal Investigation Department officers were banned from leaving the country for the first time in Sri Lanka’s history, and several officers were removed from their positions. He reminded Parliament that Mr. Shani Abeysekara was imprisoned, investigative bodies were dismantled and officers conducting the investigations were transferred, creating significant barriers for five years.
Despite these challenges, the President said he has great faith in the current investigation team. He stated that “they conducted this investigation systematically and brought the guilty to justice,” and concluded with the remark, “I know I will be brought before you,” signaling his willingness to face scrutiny as the investigation advances.
