The arrest of Sri Lanka’s former Intelligence chief, Retired Major-General Suresh Sallay marks a significant development in the investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings that claimed 279 lives. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who assumed office in 2024, took the decisive step, vowing to bring all perpetrators of the attack to justice. Sallay, appointed as the State Intelligence Service (SIS) chief in 2019 under President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, faces allegations of allowing the attack to influence the presidential election that year, won by Rajapaksa.
Sallay, known for his role in dismantling the LTTE, has become a prominent figure in Sri Lanka. His arrest has stirred political tensions, with concerns that it might reignite issues related to the LTTE. Various voices, including former Sri Lankan Minister for Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry, have expressed deep concern over the unfolding events. Both India and Sri Lanka are closely monitoring the situation, with a focus on preventing any resurgence of the LTTE.
The ties between India and Sri Lanka have evolved into an investment-driven partnership from an ideological standpoint. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Dissanayake maintain a pragmatic relationship, fostering cooperation across various domains, including security. While some in Sri Lanka question Dissanayake’s decision regarding Sallay, the imperative remains to thoroughly investigate the Easter Bombing case from all angles.
Indian agencies are particularly concerned about the activities of the National Thowheeth Jama’ath (NTJ) and Jamathei Millathu Ibrahim (JMI), the groups behind the 2019 attack. The NTJ, with a significant presence in South India, has been involved in radicalizing youth in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Investigations have revealed links between the mastermind of the Easter bombings, Mohammad Zahran Hashim, and radicalization activities in South India, orchestrated from Sri Lanka.
Sallay’s potential insights into Hashim’s operations could aid Indian agencies in probing NTJ-related cases in South India. Hashim’s connections in India, especially in regions like Mallapuram, Coimbatore, and Nagapattinam, raise questions about local involvement in the Easter bombings. Pallay has denied any association with the bombings, prompting a thorough investigation given the direct implications of NTJ activities on India, particularly its southern states.
