Gotabaya will be arrested over Easter Sunday attacks, claims PHU leader

Gammanpila blames the Sri Lankan government for the New drama

Udaya Gammanpila, leader of the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU), has accused the Sri Lankan government of orchestrating a "new drama" to implicate former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa and former State Intelligence Services (SIS) Director Major General Suresh Sallay in the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings. 

Speaking at a media briefing on February 3rd, Gammanpila alleged that the government was leveraging claims made in a UK-based Channel 4 documentary to shift blame onto Sri Lanka's intelligence services.

Gammanpila argued that the government is attempting to construct a narrative linking the intelligence services to the attacks, which claimed the lives of over 260 people and injured hundreds. He suggested this effort was politically motivated, aiming to frame Rajapaksa and Sallay while ignoring prior commitments to identify the real perpetrators of the bombings.

“There is a new drama being enacted by the Government now to blame the attacks on the intelligence services,” Gammanpila said. “This involves arresting the former president and Major General Suresh Sallay.”

He highlighted the findings of a three-member presidential committee, chaired by former Supreme Court judge S.I. Imam, which reportedly dismissed allegations made in the Channel 4 documentary. Gammanpila accused the government of disregarding the committee’s conclusions in favour of pursuing a politically expedient agenda.

Central to Gammanpila’s accusations is Azad Maulana, a key witness featured in the Channel 4 documentary. Maulana, who is currently believed to be in Switzerland seeking asylum, has faced numerous criminal allegations, including fraud and identity deception. Gammanpila claimed the government is working to bring Maulana back to Sri Lanka to obtain a statement against the intelligence services.
Gammanpila detailed Maulana’s legal troubles, noting that a case (No. B/811/2023) was pending against him in the Kalmunai Magistrate Court. The case stems from allegations made by Maulana’s second wife, who reportedly claimed he had married her under a false identity. Despite these accusations, Maulana’s travel ban was lifted on January 21st without police objection. Gammanpila further alleged that a senior police officer in the Ampara area had facilitated legal assistance for Maulana.

“Carry out any false investigation about the Easter attacks. But don’t release Maulana from any of his previous crimes,” Gammanpila insisted. He accused Maulana of using funds from terrorist activities to purchase a property in Dehiwala and demanded that Maulana be investigated under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

“The government must not ignore the crimes committed by Azad Maulana while attempting to exploit him as a witness,” Gammanpila said.

The 2019 Easter Sunday bombings remain a highly contentious issue. The Channel 4 documentary, which suggested links between Sri Lanka’s intelligence services and the bombings, has been at the centre of renewed controversy. The documentary reignited calls for an independent international investigation into the events of Easter Sunday. 

A 2019 parliamentary select committee report said Sri Lanka’s security forces received intelligence that an attack was due to take place on Easter Sunday but may have allowed it to proceed in order to “create chaos and instil fear” ahead of presidential elections that year. Gotabaya Rajapaksa would go on to be elected.

 

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