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Ex-intelligence chief Sallay ‘directed’ 2019 Easter bombings, says Sri Lanka Minister Minister Ananda Wijepala said Major General Suresh Sallay, who was arrested in February on accusations of “aiding and abetting” the attack, had identified a Catholic church to be bombed

Sri Lanka arrests controversial former spy chief over 2019 Easter bombings Sri Lanka has arrested its former intelligence chief in connection with the 2019 suicide bombings of churches and hotels that killed nearly 270 people. Suresh Sallay, a retired army major general, was held from a Colombo suburb over allegations of aiding and abetting what came to be known as the Easter Sunday bombings, one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in the country’s recent history, police said on Wednesday. The six simultaneous attacks on 21 April 2019 sent shockwaves across the island nation and revived memories of a 26-year civil war marked by suicide bombings, assassinations and guerrilla warfare to create an independent state for the country's ethnic Tamil minority. Two days after the bombings, the Islamic State claimed responsibility, releasing a customary video showing eight men, including a pair of rich brothers, pledging allegiance to the group’s then leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. The Islamic State was not known to have a presence in Sri Lanka until then. At a special briefing on Wednesday, senior deputy inspector general Sajeewa Medawatte said Mr Sallay was arrested based on evidence uncover…

2019 Easter Sunday Bombings: Sri Lanka's Former Spy Chief Accused of ... Sri Lanka's Public Security Minister has told parliament that the country's former intelligence chief directed the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings, marking the first time a government official has directly linked a senior state figure to the attacks that killed 279 people. Addressing parliament on June 10, Minister Ananda Wijepala accused retired Major General Suresh Sallay of conspiring with and strategically directing the Islamic extremists who carried out the bombings. Wijepala said Sallay had identified a Catholic church as one of the targets and met with members of the extremist network just three weeks before the attacks to gather details about the location and its congregation. Breaking It Down What recent corruption cases involve Sri Lankan officials? How has Sri Lanka Cricket been affected by recent scandals? What security threats are currently facing Bangladesh? Created with AI. Errors are possible Sallay was arrested in February on accusations of aiding and abetting the attacks. He has denied any involvement through his lawyer, as per a report from AFP. What Were the Easter Sunday Bombings ? On April 2…

Sri Lanka says former spy chief 'directed' Easter bombings Sri Lanka says former spy chief ‘directed’ Easter bombings Sign up now: Get insights on Asia's fast-moving developments Sri Lanka’s worst single terror attack against civilians involved bombings against three upmarket hotels in the capital, two Roman Catholic churches and an evangelical Protestant church outside Colombo. PHOTO: AFP Published Jun 10, 2026, 07:20 PM Updated Jun 10, 2026, 09:33 PM Listen COLOMBO - Sri Lanka’s Public Security Minister told Parliament on June 10 that the nation’s former intelligence chief directed the 2019 Easter Sunday attack , in the first official statement linking him directly to bombings that killed 279 people. Minister Ananda Wijepala said Major-General (Ret) Suresh Sallay, who was arrested in February on accusations of “aiding and abetting” the attack, had identified a Catholic church to be bombed. Sri Lanka’s worst single terror attack against civilians involved bombings against three upmarket hotels in the capital, two Roman Catholic churches and an evangelical Protestant church outside Colombo. “Investigations have revealed that retired Major-General Tuan Suresh Sallay conspired with …

Sri Lanka says spy chief 'directed' Easter bombings | Macau Business ByAFP Sri Lanka’s public security minister told parliament Wednesday the nation’s ex-intelligence chief directed the 2019 Easter Sunday attack, in the first official statement linking him directly to the bombings that killed 279 people. Minister Ananda Wijepala said Major General Suresh Sallay, who was arrested in February on accusations of “aiding and abetting” the attack, had identified a Catholic church to be bombed. Sri Lanka’s worst single terror attack against civilians involved bombings against three upmarket hotels in the capital, two Roman Catholic churches and an evangelical Protestant church outside Colombo. “Investigations have revealed that Retired Major General Tuan Suresh Sallay conspired with and strategically directed Islamic extremists until they carried out the attacks,” Wijepala said. “Just three weeks prior to the attack, Sallay met Muslim men to obtain details of the location and the congregation,” the minister added. Sallay, through his lawyer, has denied any involvement. Wijepala said Sallay was admitted to hospital Sunday after launching a hunger strike while being detained under t…

Former Sri Lankan intelligence chief linked to 2019 Easter Sunday attacks that killed 279 people Seven years ago, suicide bombers attacked three churches where worshippers were gathered for Easter services.