Colombo, Sri Lanka, July 21, 2024 — Mr. Asanga Abeygunasekara, the former head of the National Security Studies Institute, was arrested this morning at Katunayake Bandaranaike Airport. The arrest was made by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) while he was visiting his critically ill mother.
Mr. Abeygunasekara’s arrest is linked to his participation in an interview with Mr. Chamuditha Samarawickrama on the “Truth with Chamuditha” YouTube channel around 2021, concerning the Easter attack. The interview, conducted on August 9, 2021, has since been removed from the internet. However, a CD containing the video was sent to the Ministry of Public Security on August 19, 2021, by Major General Saleh, who is alleged to be the head of state intelligence and a key figure behind the Easter attack. This was done through letter number S/7369/21.
The police have announced that Mr. Abeygunasekara was arrested in relation to an open warrant issued for a case assigned by the Department of Inland Revenue. This development has added another layer of complexity to the ongoing discussions about the Easter attack and its implications.
The timing of Mr. Abeygunasekara’s arrest has raised eyebrows, particularly as the Easter attacks often resurface in political discourse around election periods. Critics argue that politicians tend to exploit the tragedy for electoral gains, while genuine issues of national security and extremism remain unaddressed.
The arrest has also reignited debates about extremism and the state’s approach to addressing it. There are concerns about the rise of Wahhabism and other forms of extremism in Sri Lanka, with calls for separate laws, food systems, schools, and banking systems, and the establishment of quasi-courts to enforce Sharia laws.
In 2016, Mr. Saliya T Ranawaka, leader of the Sinhalese National Organization, presented evidence about 12 extremist Tahujeet Jamaat organizations to the government. However, the then Yahapalana government and figures including Ranil Wickremesinghe were accused of attempting to suppress these warnings by targeting the Sinhalese organization instead.
As long as figures like Major General Saleh and Defense Ministry Secretary Kamal Gunaratne remain in key positions, there is skepticism about genuine accountability for the Easter attacks. The arrest of individuals like Mr. Abeygunasekara is viewed by some as politically motivated, aiming to influence electoral outcomes rather than address the root causes of extremism.
The arrest has sparked a broader discussion about the integrity of national security in Sri Lanka. Critics argue that many members of parliament are passive in the face of such issues, further eroding public trust. There are also rumors that key figures implicated in the mishandling of the Easter attack information may attempt to flee the country to avoid future legal repercussions.
The arrest of Asanga Abeygunasekara highlights the ongoing tensions and complexities surrounding national security and political maneuvering in Sri Lanka. As the country approaches another election cycle, the implications of this arrest and similar actions will continue to shape public discourse and political dynamics.
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Source :- https://lankau.ca/
