Cabinet Spokesman urges patience in Easter attacks investigations

• Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa insists investigations now moving forward seriously after five and a half years of suppression under previous Governments
• Says CID making progress despite tainted evidence and past delays
• Criticises political figures—Ranil Wickremesinghe, Udaya Gammanpila, Namal Rajapaksa for allegedly panicking as investigations uncover previous cover-ups 
• Defends President Dissanayake’s hint about revelations before 21 April noting investigations must remain independent and legally grounded
• States CID is actively probing all links of Pillayan, including allegations against some of High Court cases against him
• Confirms two new arrests, including Pillayan’s driver

Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa yesterday urged the public and political actors not to undermine the ongoing investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks, insisting that the probe is now moving in the right direction even after five and half years of delays and alleged suppression.

Speaking at the weekly post-Cabinet meeting media briefing, he stressed the complexity of the case and the widespread network behind the attacks. 

“The unfortunate incidents took place six years ago, but investigations have only moved forward seriously after we took office five months ago, after they were suppressed. Many pieces of evidence were tainted during the past five and half years, but the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is making progress now,” he stressed. 

He said the Government is unbothered by various statements issued by political actors, holding media conferences—citing that it only demonstrates the level of concern of the very same group of corrupt politicians of the previous administrations.

“I noticed that some of the former Government members have started to panic about the Easter Sunday investigations. Ranil Wickremesinghe, Udaya Gammanpila and Namal Rajapaksa have been vocal these days and we know why they are worried. The investigations have uncovered attempts to suppress the investigations,” he disclosed. 

When asked about President Anura Kumara Disanayake’s earlier hint that names of key perpetrators would be revealed before 21 April, the sixth anniversary of the attacks, Dr. Jayatissa responded that the investigation process must remain independent. 

“The President’s remarks weren’t wrong. Our duty as the Government is to ensure justice is delivered and to facilitate the necessary resources and environment for the CID and Attorney General’s Department to do their work. The end results would come through a legal and transparent process,” he said. 

Addressing allegations surrounding former State Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, also known as Pillayan, the Cabinet Spokesman said the CID is actively probing all links, including allegations against some of the High Court cases against him. 

When pressed on how Pillayan could be involved while in prison at the time of the Easter Sunday attacks, Dr. Jayatissa remarked: “If underworld gangs can operate from Dubai, why can’t someone coordinate from prison?”

He also confirmed that two more individuals have recently been arrested in connection with the attacks and one of them being Pillayan’s driver. 

Dr. Jayatissa noted that the Government is pursuing leads involving individuals who have left the country, including whistleblower Hanzeer Azad Maulana. 

Refraining from revealing all details, he reiterated that the CID is working diligently within the legal framework.