The 2019 Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka, which resulted in the deaths of over 250 individuals, have long been attributed to the Islamist extremist group National Thowheeth Jama’ath (NTJ), allegedly operating under the influence of ISIS. However, increasing evidence suggests the attack was not solely a terrorist act but a complex intelligence operation with significant political ramifications (Samarasinghe, 2021). This article investigates allegations of state complicity, the role of military intelligence figures such as Lt. Gen. Suresh Sally and Lt. Gen. Kapila Hendavitharana, and the political implications for former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. It further examines recent assassinations and targeted killings linked to attempts to suppress investigations and dismantle key witnesses (Fernando, 2021). Finally, this paper explores the role of academics like Professor Rohan Gunaratna in spreading state-sponsored disinformation to shield high-profile individuals from scrutiny (Cronau, 2024).
Introduction
On April 21, 2019, coordinated suicide bombings targeted multiple churches and luxury hotels in Sri Lanka, marking one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in the country’s history. The Sri Lankan government swiftly attributed the attack to NTJ, yet multiple independent reports and leaked intelligence documents raise serious concerns about the true orchestrators of the event (Borham & Singh, 2019). Channel 4’s investigative report (2023) and insider testimonies indicate possible involvement by Sri Lankan intelligence operatives in either enabling or orchestrating the attacks for political and strategic gains (Ariaratnam, 2020).
Evidence of State Complicity and Intelligence Failures
A growing body of evidence suggests that Sri Lankan authorities had prior intelligence warnings about the attacks but chose not to act. Reports from the Indian intelligence agency RAW provided explicit warnings to Sri Lankan officials weeks in advance (Indian Intelligence Report, 2019). Despite this, authorities failed to take preventive measures, raising questions about intentional negligence or a deeper strategic manipulation (GoSL, 2020).
Investigations have pointed to the role of Lt. Gen. Suresh Sally, then-head of the State Intelligence Service (SIS), and Lt. Gen. Kapila Hendavitharana, a former military intelligence chief, in fostering conditions that allowed the attack to occur. These intelligence figures have been linked to efforts aimed at destabilizing political opponents and justifying increased militarization under Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s administration (Channel 4, 2023). Former intelligence operatives allege that key NTJ members were under close surveillance but were permitted to proceed with their plans, reinforcing the argument that the attacks served a broader political agenda (Samarasinghe, 2021).
Recent Assassinations and Cover-Ups
In recent months, Sri Lanka has witnessed a wave of assassinations targeting individuals connected to the Easter Bombing investigations. According to the Tamil Guardian (2025), the Sri Lankan government claims that organized crime syndicates are attempting to undermine a renewed investigation into the attacks. However, several of the murdered individuals were suspects or witnesses previously detained in connection with the bombings (Weerasuriya, 2025).
One high-profile killing took place inside the Hulftsdorp Court Complex, where underworld figure Sanjeewa Kumara was executed by a former Sri Lankan Army commando disguised as a lawyer (Tamil Guardian, 2025). The assassin, Mohamed Azman Sherifdeen, was later apprehended, but the event raised further questions about the involvement of security forces in extrajudicial killings (Seneviratne, 2025).
Additionally, at least two criminal suspects connected to the bombings were shot while in police custody under questionable circumstances. Authorities claimed they were attempting to seize police weapons, but human rights organizations have condemned these incidents as deliberate cover-ups (The Hindu, 2025).
The Role of Professor Rohan Gunaratna in Disinformation Campaigns
Professor Rohan Gunaratna has played a pivotal role in shaping the state’s counterterrorism narrative, yet his credibility as an independent expert has been repeatedly questioned. Gunaratna’s book, Sri Lanka’s Easter Sunday Massacre: Lessons for the International Community (2023), reinforces the government’s narrative while downplaying allegations of state involvement (Gunaratna, 2023). Critics argue that his close ties to Sri Lankan intelligence and military figures compromise his objectivity (Cronau, 2024).
As noted by investigative journalist Peter Cronau (2024), Gunaratna’s work often functions as psychological operations rather than legitimate counterterrorism research. His selective use of evidence and alignment with state propaganda have been challenged by independent analysts, including Kagusthan Ariaratnam (2020), who argues that his writings are deliberately misleading and serve to protect high-ranking officials from accountability.
Political Motivations Behind the Easter Attacks
The timing of the Easter Sunday bombings coincided with a volatile political climate in Sri Lanka. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, a former defense secretary with strong ties to the military, launched his presidential campaign shortly after the attacks (Fernando, 2021). The widespread fear and instability generated by the bombings played a crucial role in bolstering his security-focused campaign, leading to his victory in the 2019 elections (Samarasinghe, 2021).
Skeptics argue that the attacks provided Rajapaksa with the justification needed to implement authoritarian policies, increase military control, and suppress opposition voices. In light of these developments, calls for an independent international investigation into the bombings have intensified, with figures such as Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith leading the demand for accountability at the United Nations Human Rights Council (2022).
Conclusion
The 2019 Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka present a troubling case study of possible intelligence manipulation, state complicity, and political exploitation of terrorism. The suppression of evidence, targeted assassinations, and misinformation campaigns have obstructed justice and prevented a transparent investigation into the true masterminds behind the attack (Tamil Guardian, 2025).
Given the serious allegations of state involvement, an independent international inquiry is imperative to uncover the full extent of the intelligence failures and hold those responsible accountable. The continued use of extrajudicial killings and disinformation to obstruct investigations only strengthens the argument that the attack was not merely an act of terrorism but a calculated operation with deep political implications.
The international community must exert pressure on the Sri Lankan government to allow for a thorough and impartial investigation, ensuring that the victims of the Easter Sunday bombings receive the justice they deserve (United Nations Human Rights Council, 2022).
References
- Ariaratnam, K. (2020). Special Report: Sri Lanka’s Easter Sunday Bombings – An Intelligence Failure? Or an Intelligence Operation? NAOC.
- Borham, M., & Singh, A. (2019). Rohan Gunaratna Debunked? Sunday Observer.
- Channel 4 News. (2023). Sri Lanka’s Easter Bombings: An Inside Job? Channel 4 Investigations.
- Cronau, P. (2024). The Legitimising of Terror Fears: Research or Psy Ops? Pacific Journalism Review.
- Fernando, R. (2021). Sri Lanka’s Deep State: Political Machinations and Military Influence. Oxford University Press.
- Gunaratna, R. (2023). Sri Lanka’s Easter Sunday Massacre: Lessons for the International Community. Penguin Books.
- Samarasinghe, N. (2021). Strategic Manipulation and Intelligence Failures in Sri Lanka. Cambridge Security Review.
- Tamil Guardian. (2025). Sri Lanka Claims Rising Violence is Attempt to Sabotage Easter Bombing Probe.
- United Nations Human Rights Council. (2022). Call for Independent Investigation into Sri Lanka’s Easter Sunday Bombings.
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