The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) yesterday (04) revealed before the Colombo Fort Magistrate's Court that the 2019 Easter Sunday suicide bomb attacks were carried out under the planned direction of former Director of the State Intelligence Service Suresh Sallay, and with the indirect knowledge of three others.

These facts were disclosed before Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage based on statements recorded from Suresh Sallay, who is detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, as well as former IGP C.D. Wickramaratne, former DIGs Prasad Ranasinghe and Nishantha Soysa, and Azad Maulana. These investigations are being conducted pursuant to a complaint lodged by Rev. Fr. Jude Roshan on 11 October 2024.

Key Points

  • CID reveals to court that the Easter attacks were carried out under the direction of Suresh Sallay
  • A travel ban was imposed on Gotabaya Rajapaksa on 03 June in connection with the investigations
  • Magistrate points out the former President is not yet a suspect
  • Decision on lifting the travel ban to be announced on 25 November

Travel ban and Gotabaya's request

On 03 June, a travel ban was imposed on former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, former Army Colonel Mohamed Ansar, and former intelligence officer Premananda Udalagama on suspicion of having indirectly aided this investigation.

Gotabaya Rajapaksa was also present in court when a motion filed by him seeking the temporary lifting of his travel ban was taken up. The CID stated that it objects to lifting the ban unless there is a mechanism to ensure the former President's return. However, the Magistrate pointed out that since he has not yet been named a suspect, the court does not have the power to impose bail conditions or bonds on him.

Medical treatment in Singapore

Appearing for Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law Ruwantha Cooray submitted that his client, who underwent bypass surgery at Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore in May 2019, needed to consult Dr. Sivadasan for follow-up care. Presenting a letter issued by Dr. Bandula Wijesiri dated 24 July 2026, the counsel requested the ban be lifted for that duration, noting that the doctor in question will only be in Singapore from 28 November to 08 December.

What next?

The order regarding the travel ban on former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is scheduled to be delivered on 25 November, while the other two suspects who are in judicial custody were remanded further.