Tensions explode between top legal authorities and the military as serious claims surface over alleged obstruction, funding of suspects, and a deepening crisis in the Easter Sunday terror investigations.
A new controversy has emerged surrounding the ongoing Easter Sunday investigations in Sri Lanka, with serious allegations of obstruction by military personnel now triggering tension between legal authorities and the armed forces. The development follows statements made in open court by Additional Solicitor General Dilip Peiris, which have reportedly caused significant unease within the military establishment.
According to reports, a senior military officer expressed strong dissatisfaction over Peiris’s remarks, particularly his claim that certain military officials were hindering the progress of the Easter Sunday terror investigations. This concern was formally conveyed through an officer attached to the Army Legal Division, leading to a direct telephone conversation between the Additional Solicitor General and the senior officer.
Initially, the discussion is said to have been cordial, but it quickly escalated into a heated exchange. The military officer reportedly argued that Peiris’s public statements had brought unnecessary embarrassment to the Sri Lanka Army, especially at a time when the institution maintains that it is fully cooperating with investigators.
However, Peiris rejected these assertions, maintaining that the ground reality differs from what has been officially presented. He insisted that there are elements within the system that are not supporting the investigative process, reinforcing his earlier claims made in court regarding obstruction in the Easter Sunday investigation.
During the exchange, the senior officer is also reported to have warned that continued public statements of this nature could prompt a formal complaint to the President, further highlighting the seriousness of the situation and the growing friction between institutions.
In a particularly alarming allegation, the Additional Solicitor General stated that military intelligence units had provided financial assistance to suspects detained in connection with the Easter Sunday attacks, enabling them to secure legal representation. He described such actions as completely unacceptable, raising serious questions about accountability and transparency within the investigation process.
Peiris further informed the officer that the Attorney General’s Department intends to take additional steps, including informing the court about individuals or entities that are failing to cooperate with the investigations. He indicated that such individuals may be summoned before court in the future as part of efforts to ensure accountability.
The report also notes that Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe has been briefed on the matter, suggesting that the issue has now reached the highest levels of the country’s legal system. The unfolding situation has intensified public interest in the Easter Sunday investigations, with growing calls for transparency, justice, and institutional accountability.
