Sri Lanka: The government of Sri Lanka plans to establish a parliamentary committee to investigate the claims made in a British television report. It alleged the involvement of Sri Lankan intelligence in the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings, which resulted in the deaths of 269 people.
Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment of Sri Lanka Mr. Manusha Nanayakkara told the parliament that details on the investigation will be announced soon.
A man stated in the Channel 4 videos released that he organized a meeting between a local group inspired by ISIL (ISIS) and a high-ranking state intelligence official.
The alleged purpose of the meeting was to plan actions that would create instability in Sri Lanka and potentially aid the former President of Sri Lanka Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa in winning the presidential election later that year, as per the statement.
Mr. Azad Maulana was a spokesman for a breakaway group of the Tamil Tiger rebels. This group played a pivotal role in assisting the government in defeating the rebels, leading to the conclusion of Sri Lanka’s long-standing civil war in 2009.
During the program, Mr. Maulana stated that after security camera footage of the bombings was made public, he recognized the individuals carrying bomb-laden backpacks as the same people he had arranged to meet with the intelligence officer.
According to the report Mr. Maulana was interviewed by United Nations investigators and European intelligence services regarding his claims. Rajapaksa has not provided any comments on the allegations.
PM Mr. Mahindananda Aluthgamage denied the claims made in the documentary. The PM informed parliament that Mr. Rajapaksa had no motive to orchestrate bombings or employ suicide bombers for electoral gain, as the strong public support for him was evident from the results of the 2018 local elections.
MOST READ | India, Sri Lanka forge stronger economic & energy ties
