Sri Lanka's Ex-Intelligence Chief Accused of Directing 2019 Easter Bombings

Sri Lanka's public security minister Ananda Wijepala told parliament that retired Major General Suresh Sallay, the country's former intelligence chief, conspired with and strategically directed Islamic extremists to carry out the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings. The attacks targeted three hotels and three churches in and around Colombo, killing 279 people in Sri Lanka's worst single terror attack against civilians. According to Wijepala, Sallay met with Muslim men three weeks before the attack to obtain details about church locations and congregations. Sallay, who was appointed head of the State Intelligence Service in 2019 shortly after Rajapaksa became president, has denied all involvement through his lawyer and is currently hospitalized after launching a hunger strike while detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. British broadcaster Channel 4 reported in 2023 that Sallay had met with the Islamists prior to the attack, with a whistleblower alleging he permitted the bombings to proceed to influence the presidential election in Rajapaksa's favor. The Criminal Investigation Department has not named Rajapaksa as a suspect but indicated he is likely to be questioned soon.