Sri Lanka Arrests Ex-Intel Chief Over 2019 Easter Bombings

Colombo, Sri Lanka: Sri Lankan police on Wednesday arrested retired Major-General Suresh Sallay, the country’s former chief of the State Intelligence Service (SIS), in connection with the coordinated suicide bombings on 21 April 2019 that killed 279 people and wounded hundreds.

Custody and Charges

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) took Sallay into custody at dawn in a suburb of Colombo on charges of conspiracy and “aiding and abetting” the Easter Sunday attacks, an investigating officer told news agencies.

Overview of the Attacks

Six almost-simultaneous suicide bombings targeted three churches and three luxury hotels across Sri Lanka, killing worshippers and tourists from several countries. The attacks were claimed by Islamic State-linked groups and dealt a severe blow to the island nation’s tourism-dependent economy.

Sallay’s Background

Sallay, a retired army major general known for his role in ending Sri Lanka’s decades-long civil war, had been promoted to head the SIS in 2019 after then-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa took office. He was dismissed from the position following the election of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in 2024, who pledged to hold those responsible for the bombings to account.

Allegations and Reports

British broadcaster Channel 4 reported in 2023 that Sallay had allegedly met bombers associated with the extremist National Thowheed Jamath prior to the attacks — claims he has denied. A whistleblower told the network that he permitted the attack to proceed to influence the 2019 presidential poll in Rajapaksa’s favour, allegations long disputed by authorities.

Criticism of Government and Security Agencies

Critics and civil society groups have repeatedly faulted successive Sri Lankan governments and security agencies for ignoring multiple intelligence warnings before the bombings. In 2023, Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court held former President Maithripala Sirisena and four other senior officials liable in a civil case for failing to act on such warnings.

Investigation Continues

The CID said more arrests and charges could follow as the investigation expands. The Easter bombings remain one of Sri Lanka’s deadliest terror attacks in recent history.