Justice cannot be further delayed for Easter Sunday attacks

Seven long years have passed since the Easter Sunday bombings of April 2019 with a troubling and persistent absence of tangible justice. The coordinated attacks that took the lives of more than 260 innocent civilians is one of the worst atrocities in contemporary Sri Lankan history and despite repeated promises from successive administrations, accountability remains elusive. The delay has been so prolonged that it risks becoming a denial of truth itself. The continued failure to establish accountability has eroded public trust in the judicial institutions, particularly the Police, 

the Attorney General’s Department, and the Courts.

It is especially troubling that individuals long suspected of bearing responsibility, or at the very least benefiting politically from the aftermath of the attacks, continue to operate freely within the public sphere. This represents a grave travesty of justice. When accountability is absent, impunity thrives and as a result, the rule of law is fundamentally undermined.

The launch of a book by Udaya Gammanpila, in which he claims to identify the mastermind behind the attacks, is an example of manipulation and attempts to change public discourse rather than deliverance of justice and accountability. The vacuum created by the State’s failure to present a definitive and credible account and the absence of official clarity, offers alternative narratives, often politically motivated, to fill the void, shaping public perception in ways that may distort the truth.

For years, evidence and allegations have surfaced suggesting that the Easter Sunday attacks may have involved a broader conspiracy extending beyond the immediate perpetrators. These claims, whether substantiated or not, cannot be ignored. The arrest of former Intelligence Chief and Gotabaya Rajapaksa loyalist, Major General (Retd.) Suresh Salley points to a broader political agenda behind the atrocity.

Equally concerning is the documented negligence in preventing the attacks. Intelligence warnings were reportedly available prior to 21 April 2019, yet failed to translate into effective preventive action due to the inaction of then President

Maithripala Sirisena and the apathy of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to intervene in security matters. This failure alone warrants accountability at the highest levels. Negligence, particularly when it results in such catastrophic loss of life, is not a minor lapse but a serious breach of public duty and a crime.

It was beyond ironic that both Gotabaya and Sirisena were in the front rows of Gammanpila’s book launch. It is a stark reminder that the longer justice is delayed, the greater the risk that malicious actors will continue to manipulate the narrative for political gain. This not only dishonours the memory of the victims, but also perpetuates division and mistrust within society.

It is imperative, therefore, that the Police, the Attorney General, and the Judiciary act with urgency and independence. Expediency must not come at the cost of due process, but neither can due process be used as a shield for inaction. The balance must be struck in favour of delivering timely and credible justice.

The pursuit of accountability for the Easter Sunday bombings is not merely a legal obligation, but a historical and moral imperative. The victims, their families, and the country as a whole deserve closure. More importantly, they deserve a justice system that proves itself capable of upholding the truth, no matter how uncomfortable it may be. Seven years is far too long for justice and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and his administration, must deliver on this fundamental promise to the electorate to retain their credibility.