The Catholic Church emphasized the importance of allowing the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to independently carry out investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks. Father Cyril Gamini Fernando, a member of the Archdiocese of Colombo’s Communications Committee, called for a probe into the allegations made by Azad Maulana, a former secretary to MP Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan (Pillayan).

Speaking at a press conference, Fr. Fernando stressed that Maulana should either be extradited or questioned through other means. He pointed out that while Suresh Sallay, former Director of the State Intelligence Service, had been questioned following revelations in a Channel 4 documentary, Maulana’s allegations were yet to be investigated.

Maulana’s Allegations
Azad Maulana, who has provided information to Channel 4 and the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, claimed that Pillayan orchestrated the Easter Sunday attacks from Batticaloa Prison while serving a sentence for the murder of MP Joseph Pararajasingham. He also accused former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and former State Intelligence Director Suresh Sallay of collaborating with Pillayan to create a climate of fear that would help Rajapaksa regain power.

According to a senior defense official, Maulana is a key witness in the investigation and is expected to be brought back from Switzerland for further questioning.

Pillayan Denies Allegations
In response, Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan (Pillayan) denied the accusations, claiming Maulana was fabricating stories to seek permanent residency abroad under the pretext of facing life threats. "I was in prison from 2015 to 2020. How could I plan an attack while in jail? These allegations are baseless," Pillayan stated. He expressed willingness to cooperate with the CID investigation.

The Aftermath of the Attack
The Easter Sunday attacks in April 2019 targeted churches and luxury hotels, killing over 250 people, including foreigners and members of Sri Lanka’s Catholic community. ISIS claimed responsibility for the bombings, with the local extremist group National Thowheeth Jamaat (NTJ) executing the attacks.

Multiple inquiries, including a presidential commission, parliamentary select committees, and independent probes, have since sought to uncover the mastermind behind the attack. Although intelligence from India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had warned of an impending attack, the then-government was criticized for failing to act on it.

In a civil case, the court held former President Maithripala Sirisena and several top security officials accountable, ordering them to pay substantial compensation to the victims' families.

Call for Justice and Further Investigations
Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, head of the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka, has consistently called for justice and further investigations to identify the true mastermind behind the attack. With the support of the current government led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, a fresh probe was launched in October 2024.

Recent remarks by Pivithuru Hela Urumaya leader Udaya Gammanpila alleging a plan to arrest former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa have renewed public interest in the case. Gammanpila claimed that the investigation would rely on testimony from Maulana, who has been described as a whistle-blower.

Global Implications and the Role of International Agencies
International investigative bodies, including the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Australian Federal Police (AFP), also played key roles in dismantling the network led by Zaharan Hashim, who spearheaded the attack. Their findings contributed to the identification of those directly involved, but many believe more work is needed to uncover the full truth.

As calls for accountability continue, the CID’s investigation is expected to shed further light on the tragic event that left a lasting impact on Sri Lanka and its people.