Explosive Revelation: Sri Lanka Minister Alleges Ex-Spy Chief Directed 2019 Easter Bombings

In a seismic shift for the island nation’s pursuit of justice, authorities have officially linked a former intelligence head to the terror plot that claimed 279 lives.

Seven years after the horrific Easter Sunday attacks tore through the heart of Sri Lanka, the narrative surrounding the tragedy has taken a dark, definitive turn. On Wednesday, June 10, 2026, Sri Lanka’s Public Security Minister, Ananda Wijepala, stood before parliament to drop a bombshell: the nation’s former intelligence chief, Major General (retd) Tuan Suresh Sallay, allegedly directed the Islamic extremists behind the 2019 carnage.

This is the first time a serving minister has formally accused the ex-spy chief of orchestrating the bombings that targeted three upmarket hotels and three churches across the country. Minister Wijepala detailed a chilling timeline, claiming that Sallay met with Muslim men just three weeks before the attack to pinpoint locations and map out congregations. According to the government, Sallay did not merely fail to prevent the violence; he strategically facilitated it.

The Path to Custody

Suresh Sallay, who was arrested this past February on charges of “aiding and abetting” the terror plot, currently remains in detention under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. His tenure at the helm of the State Intelligence Service (SIS) began in 2019, immediately following the ascent of then-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Before that, he held significant sway as the head of military intelligence.

The situation inside the detention facility is tense. Reports indicate that Sallay has launched a hunger strike and was admitted to a hospital this past Sunday. While his legal counsel maintains his total innocence, the political fallout is spreading. Following intensive interrogations of the former chief, investigators have secured court orders blocking Gotabaya Rajapaksa from leaving the island, as officials confirm the former president may soon face questioning.

A Ghost of 2019

This official government stance echoes allegations first brought to light by the British broadcaster Channel 4 in 2023. At the time, a whistleblower claimed that the intelligence apparatus had permitted the bombings to proceed, calculated to manipulate the political climate in favour of Rajapaksa’s presidential bid. The strategy, if true, was devastatingly effective: just two days after the attacks, Rajapaksa announced his candidacy, campaigning on a promise to dismantle Islamist extremism and ultimately winning in a landslide.

Why it Matters

The implications of these revelations go far beyond the courtroom. For Sri Lankans, the 2019 Easter Sunday attack was a moment of profound national trauma that reshaped the country’s politics and security architecture. By linking a former spy chief directly to the bloodshed, the current administration is digging into a deep state infrastructure that many have long suspected but never officially named.

This development highlights the fragile intersection of national security and electoral cycles. If the state’s allegations hold, it confirms the worst fears of those who argued that the security establishment was weaponised for political gain. As the investigation moves toward the highest levels of the former government, the case will likely serve as a litmus test for the independence of the Sri Lankan judiciary and the public's demand for accountability in an era of long-simmering political instability.