Police in Sri Lanka have taken into custody retired Major-General Suresh Salley, the country’s former head of intelligence, in relation to the devastating 2019 Easter Sunday suicide bombings that killed nearly 270 people and injured hundreds more. The arrest was made on Wednesday by officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), according to official statements.
The coordinated attacks on 21 April 2019 targeted three luxury hotels in the capital Colombo and several churches during Easter services. The bombings, which were believed to be inspired by the Islamic State group, shocked the nation and dealt a severe blow to Sri Lanka’s tourist industry and communal harmony.
Police spokesman Fredrick Wootler said investigators are examining possible “links or lapses” by Salley in connection with the attacks, including whether he was involved in conspiracy or in aiding and abetting those responsible. Salley, a respected military intelligence figure credited with a significant role in ending Sri Lanka’s long civil war in 2009, has denied any wrongdoing.
Allegations surfaced after the bombings that Salley met with extremists from the National Thowheed Jamath — the group blamed for carrying out the attacks — before the bombings took place. A 2023 British broadcast investigation suggested that Salley may have allowed the bombings to proceed to create political instability that would help then-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in the subsequent presidential election, accusations that Salley rejects.
Salley’s arrest comes years after the attack and follows renewed government efforts to resolve longstanding questions about accountability. Sri Lanka’s defense ministry has denied any official involvement, and the investigation continues to scrutinize lapses in intelligence and preventative action ahead of the deadly Easter attacks.