25.02.2026 18:02
Former Intelligence Chief Suresh Sallay has been detained in connection with the bomb attacks in Sri Lanka in 2019, which resulted in the deaths of 279 people and injured around 500 others. Sallay is alleged to have connections with the bombers and to have allowed the attacks to take place in order to sway the 2019 presidential elections in favor of Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
A new development has occurred regarding the bomb attacks that took place during Easter in April 2019 in Sri Lanka, which targeted 3 churches and 3 hotels, resulting in the deaths of 279 people.
FORMER INTELLIGENCE CHIEF IN CUSTODY
The Criminal Investigation Department has detained former Intelligence Chief Suresh Sallay on allegations of being connected to the bomb attacks. The police stated that Sallay was taken into custody in the capital Colombo to be questioned under the Sri Lanka Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), saying, "We are waiting for instructions regarding specific charges from the Criminal Investigation Department. He was detained in connection with the Easter attacks and will be brought to court."
ALLEGATION OF "ALLOWING ATTACKS TO INFLUENCE THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS"
After the attacks, it was alleged that Sallay had connections with the bombers and allowed the attacks to occur in order to sway the 2019 presidential elections in favor of Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Sallay denied these allegations.
279 PEOPLE DIED, 500 INJURED
In the attacks carried out in Sri Lanka, 279 people lost their lives, and approximately 500 others were injured. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who took office in 2024, promised to bring the perpetrators to justice.