Summary
Sri Lanka's former intelligence chief, Retired Major-General Suresh Sallay, has been arrested for his alleged involvement in the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings. The attacks killed 279 people and seriously impacted the country's tourism industry. Investigations into the bombings have continued, with new allegations suggesting Sallay had a role in the attacks that coincided with the presidential election year.
Key Facts
- The 2019 Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka killed 279 people and injured over 500.
- Retired Major-General Suresh Sallay, former intelligence chief, was arrested for allegedly aiding the attacks.
- Six simultaneous suicide bombings targeted churches and luxury hotels.
- The bombings damaged Sri Lanka's tourism sector and influenced the 2019 presidential election.
- A local group was blamed, but new reports claim Sallay met with the attackers before the bombings.
- In 2023, a whistleblower alleged Sallay allowed the attacks to help a certain candidate in the presidential election.
- Sri Lanka's Supreme Court ruled former President Maithripala Sirisena and others failed to prevent the bombings, ordering them to pay compensation.
- The United Nations has urged Sri Lanka to release withheld parts of previous investigations into the bombings.
