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Easter Sunday carnage: Cardinal reiterates possibility of grand plot

Published

4 years ago

2022/04/22

Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, delivering a Special Message at St. Anthony’s Shrine, Kochchikade, Kotahena to commemorate the third anniversary of the Easter Sunday Attack, said yesterday that there had been a plot to ensure that the attacks took place.

“That the attempt made by the then President of Sri Lanka to prevent the arrest of Zahran Hashim and his group had played a big role in ensuring that the attacks did take place. The story of the arrest of the Deputy Inspector General of Police, who had even obtained an arrest warrant on Zahran, makes us wonder whether there was a plot to ensure that the attacks happened.

The cardinal said that they had been compelled to ask St. Anthony to help them get at the truth concerning the attacks.

He said it was clear that the people who carried out those attacks were some misguided radical Muslim youth who did not understand the noble message of the Prophet Mohammed.

“Yet, as time goes, it is becoming clearer and we have

confirmation about it from what the former Attorney General, Dappula de Livera stated to a journalist of News First on 07 May 2021, that there was a “grand conspiracy” behind this deed of terror and that there was probably a political plot behind it.”

Given below are excerpts of the Cardinal’s speech: “Our suspicions on this matter have been confirmed by several factors, which include the following:

“1) That the Parliamentary Select Committee, which came out with its study and report of these attacks, mentioned in its Executive Summary that there are indications of an attempt by those responsible for intelligence to somehow hide the true facts of the case and to simply attribute it to Zahran Hashim and his group.

“2) That the attempt made by the then President of Sri Lanka to somehow prevent the arrest of Zahran Hashim and his group and the discouragement of attempts by the Police to get them arrested, played a big role in ensuring that the attacks did take place. The story of the arrest of the Deputy Inspector General of Police, who had even obtained an arrest warrant on Zahran, is un-understandable, unless, we posit a possible plot to somehow ensure that the attacks do go ahead. The attempts by the security service authorities to callously ignore the information they had concerning the training camp and the collection of explosives as well as firearms found at Wanathavilluwa in Puttalam, made the attacks a reality.

“3) That the four warnings given by the Indian Intelligence Service to the Security Officers of the Police and the Intelligence Services, were completely downplayed and ignored without any information being given to the public about these and thus making the public undefended and exposed to the attacks. Indeed, what is most surprising is that the security officers circulated among themselves a confidential letter to warn each other, while not giving this information to the general public. Thus the general public became exposed to these attacks.

“Why was that kind of policy followed by people in responsible positions, is a question which has not received a clear answer. The attempt made by some security officials to get the attacks accepted by ISIS as something they had organized, when it was clear that even ISIS did not know about it, is also another mystery. So, the question can be asked, why the security officers were interested in getting ISIS to claim responsibility for something they didn’t even know about. Were they trying to hide someone else who was behind all this?

“4) That the former president of Sri Lanka left the island without appointing an acting Defence Minister and leaving the entire situation exposed and the expectation in some quarters that these attacks might create inter-communal violence. Indeed 6000 swords had been imported and distributed to Muslim homes and Mosques in order to arm them with those means of self-defense. Thus, there was the expectation of violence! Who permitted these swords which are offensive weapons is also an unanswered question. Normally a Ministry of Defence clearance should have been obtained. This would have been part of the plot, which fortunately did not happen due to our insisting with the affected parties that they should not react violently towards the Muslims. We are deeply apprehensive of this act of omission by the former President. Why did he do that is yet another unanswered question.

“5) That on two other occasions after the Easter bombings, some extremist groups close to the present regime in Sri Lanka and inimical to the Muslims tried to provoke communal violence between the Sinhalese and the Muslims was again a politically motivated provocation.

“6) That the present government continuously refuses to carry out the recommendations of the Presidential Commission Report with regard to the prosecution of some of the top level political and security as well as intelligence officers for criminal neglect of duty in the matter. We have to sincerely ask why they are taking that attitude. In the case of several of these top officers, the prosecution has been so poorly handled that even the cases that have been filed against them by the previous government have been dismissed by the courts. So we see a spirit of collaboration between the existing government and the Attorney General’s Department to treat these cases in a slip shod manner.

“Typical was the recent release of the former Defence Secretary and the Inspector General of Police who were acquitted and discharged whereas, on a visit to the Shrine after the attacks, the then Defence Secretary did state: “We knew about these attacks beforehand but did not think these would be so extensive.” Besides, the attitude of the present Inspector General of Police from whom we have repeatedly asked to implement the recommendations of the Commission and to conduct internal inquiries against some of the officers working under him who have been recommended for prosecution by the Presidential Commission and his giving most of these officers’ promotions instead is highly suspicious. This we consider as an insult added to the injury caused to our people.

“Besides, there are different elements in the Presidential Commission report and information provided by some others that are recommended or need to be investigated further. Yet, no such investigations have been conducted up to now. Given this entire situation, we see that an attempt has been made to somehow lay the blame only on the radical elements of the Islamic community while protecting all the others who have had something to do with these attacks, either in the manner of direct involvement or in the manner of not carrying out their duties to prevent them. Needless to say, that the toll was heavy with the loss of 269 precious lives, out of which 47 foreigners from 14 different countries and the rest, all Sri Lankans of different linguistic and religious groups and 500 injured, some with lifelong disabilities. The erroneous way in which selective carrying out of the recommendations have been done, is another indication of manipulation of the whole attempt to get the truth- and seeking to only show the responsibility of the Islamic component of these attacks and trying to hide the rest of the facts deliberately.

“We wish to conclude this by quoting a section from the Executive Summary of the Parliamentary Select Committee Report which indicates a possibility of a grand plot as mentioned by the former Attorney General.

“[I quote] “The PSC makes a very serious finding in terms of the status of the state intelligence apparatus, where intelligence information known to a few was not shared with relevant parties. The PSC also observes that further investigations will be needed to understand whether those with vested interests did not act on intelligence so as to create chaos and instill fear and uncertainty in the country in the lead up to the Presidential Election to be held later in the year. Such a situation would then lead to the call for a change of regime to contain such acts of terrorism. Coincidently or not so coincidentally, the security situation and fear would be unleashed months away from the Presidential Election.” [p.3 Executive Summary Parliamentary Select Committee Report].

Until we are satisfied that a transparent and just inquiry is conducted by all parties concerned and the truth is discovered with regard to the responsibility for these attacks, the Catholic Community in Sri Lanka will not be satisfied with the way things are happening and we reject all attempts to mislead us in this matter. We want, especially, the international community which has also suffered as a result of the loss of lives of some of their citizens to pressure the government of Sri Lanka and ensure that justice is meted out to these innocent people who lost their lives in these attacks.”

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Discussion on Sri Lanka Customs’ contribution for National Export Development Plan

Published

15 hours ago

2026/06/18

Priyan

A discussion on the modernisation initiatives required within the Sri Lanka Customs and measures to encourage exporters in support of implementing the National Export Development Plan (NEDP) 2026–2030 was held on Wednesday (17) morning at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.

The meeting, organised by the Revenue Administration Reform and Modernization Bureau established under the Presidential Secretariat, focused extensively on the modernisation measures required within Sri Lanka Customs to facilitate the expansion of exports.

During the discussion, the Secretary to the President instructed Sri Lanka Customs to enhance the capacity, facilities and modernisation of the Export Facilitation Centre, where export containers are inspected, in order to create a more efficient and exporter-friendly environment.

Attention was also drawn to developing a programme aimed at encouraging exporters across the country to enter the export sector. The Secretary to the President further emphasised the need to review the Temporary Import for Export Processing (TIEP) scheme currently operated by the Customs Industrial Facilitation Division and to introduce a programme to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that have not yet engaged in export activities.

The meeting also explored the possibility of decentralising customs operations to support the expansion of the export sector, with particular attention given to establishing a Customs Export Centre in Jaffna.

Discussions were also held on removing barriers affecting exports conducted through e-commerce platforms. It was decided to hold further discussions with the Department of Posts on measures that could be taken jointly to streamline these processes.

Participants also discussed introducing digital systems to expedite document processing, thereby reducing both, time and costs, as well as implementing a risk-based assessment mechanism that would provide greater facilitation for low-risk exporters.

It was further decided that Sri Lanka Customs, the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) and other relevant institutions would meet monthly under the leadership of the Revenue Administration, Reforms and Modernisation Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat to review progress, identify challenges faced by exporters and discuss appropriate solutions.

The National Export Development Plan has been formulated in line with the national vision, “A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life”, with the objective of enhancing Sri Lanka’s export competitiveness and achieving an ambitious yet realistic export revenue target of USD 36 billion by 2030.

Director General of Customs Wimal Liyanagama, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) Mangala Wijesinghe, Additional Directors General of Sri Lanka Customs T. Loganathan and L.K.S.D.K. Arewatta, Director of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board Dr. Sanjeewa Rathnasekara, Director of the Revenue Administration, Reforms and Modernisation Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat W.L.C. Thilakasiri and senior officials from Sri Lanka Customs and the Sri Lanka Export Development Board were also present.

[PMD]

News

Military held land: Govt. trying to maintain balance between security and civilian needs

Published

18 hours ago

2026/06/18

Sahan Weerasooriya

Deputy Defence Minister Maj. Gen. Jayasekera receiving a field briefing during a recent visit to the Jaffna peninsula (pic courtesy MoD).

The NPP government is trying to maintain a balance between continuing demands for releasing north-east land held by the military and post-war security requirements, says Deputy Defence Minister Major General Aruna Jayasekera (Retd), who has undertaken a series of visits to the northern and eastern provinces in the recent past to explore ways and means of releasing the land, without compromising national security requirements.

Since the armed forces brought the war to a successful conclusion in May, 2009, releasing of both privately- and state-owned land began cautiously in October, 2009, and by now over 90 percent of both categories have been released. At the height of the war, before the launch of Eelam War IV, in August 2006, Jaffna peninsula had the largest concentration of troops assigned to four Divisions.

In the first week of June, Deputy Minister Jayasekera visited the Trincomalee District to ascertain the situation. The Defence Ministry said that the Deputy Minister had assessed the current status of such lands and received briefings from senior military officers and relevant officials on security and administrative aspects regarding the properties.

Following the field inspection, the Deputy Minister chaired a meeting at the Governor’s Secretariat Office where the discussion focused on what the Defence Ministry called a balanced and practical approach to address land-related issues, protect the livelihoods of the people, and ensure that national security requirements were properly managed.

Jayasekera, with a career spanning well over three decades, retired in November, 2019, after having last served as the Eastern Commander for about a year.

During his June visit, the Deputy Minister visited various security forces establishments, including the 22 Infantry Division.

A senior retired military official said that those who had been demanding that all security forces held land, both state- and privately-owned, be released, have conveniently forgotten that this was made possible due to the eradication of the LTTE.

The Deputy Defence Minister conducted a series of field visits in the Jaffna and Wanni regions to assess the security situation and operational commitments. According to the Defence Ministry, the Deputy Minister addressed senior tri forces personnel at the Security Forces Headquarters – Jaffna (SFHQ-J) and the Security Forces Headquarters – Wanni (SFHQ-Wanni).

The Deputy Minister chaired civil-military coordination meetings in the Mannar and Jaffna districts to the ongoing land ownership issues, fostering socio economic growth, and streamlining local infrastructure layout in close cooperation with the regional administrative mechanism. The Ministry said that the Deputy Minister inspected agricultural zones, private residences and public common areas, presently placed within the operational infrastructure of the Sri Lanka Navy across several locations, in Mullikulam, Silawathura, Talaimannar, Wankalapadu, and Pallimune.

Members of Parliament for the Vanni Electoral District, Selvam Adaikalanathan, Kader Masthan, Thurairasa Ravikaran and the District Secretary for Mannar were also present at the meeting where matters related to socio economic grievances, local infrastructure demands, and land rights of the local residents were central topic in the agenda.

The Deputy Minister of Defence chaired a second meeting at the Governor’s Office in Jaffna where the main focus was existing land issues in the districts of Vavuniya, Mannar, Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi, and Jaffna.

The Jaffna proceedings were co-chaired by the Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources and Chairman of the District Coordinating Committee for the Jaffna and Kilinochchi Districts Ramalingam Chandrasekar and Deputy Minister of Co-operative Development Upali Samarasinghe.

The Defence Ministry said that stability depended on striking an optimal balance between prioritising national security obligations and resolving outstanding issues related to both state owned and privately used lands. “We are implementing a transparent mechanism to swiftly transition designated lands back into the hands of local communities for housing, fishing, and agriculture.”

The participation of the Commander of the Army and the Commander of the Navy underscored the importance of the discussions held in the north.

In the Mannar region the focus was on lands, presently used by the Navy, in the areas of Mullikulam, Silawathura, Talaimannar, Wankalapadu, and Pallimunai.

Authoritative sources said that since the end of the war, the military had given up held areas and what remained occupied were essential for security purposes. The depletion of the area under direct control should be examined taking into consideration gradual overall reduction of combined security forces strength over the years. At the end of the war, the Army had approximately 205,000 officers and men, both regular and volunteer. That figure has been reduced to 150,000 to 160,000. In line with the government thinking the Army strength would be brought down to 100,000 by 2030, a plan first announced by President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

By Shamindra Ferdinando

News

Yoshitha granted bail, travel ban imposed

Published

18 hours ago

2026/06/18

Sahan Weerasooriya

Ex-Navy officer Yoshitha Rajapaksa, second son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, being taken to the Colombo Chief Magistrate's court yesterday.

Colombo Chief Magistrate Lahiru de Silva yesterday granted bail to Yoshitha Rajapaksa, second son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, on three sureties of Rs. 5 million each, and imposed an overseas travel ban.

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) arrested Yoshitha yesterday morning when he called over to make a statement regarding an ongoing investigation into his recruitment to the Sri Lanka Navy and training at the UK Royal Naval Academy.

CIABOC said that the arrest had been made in connection with an investigation into the 2006 recruitment of cadet officers to the executive branch of the Sri Lanka Navy.

It has been alleged that individuals were recruited without meeting the required qualifications and state funds were used outside established procedures for their training at the Royal Naval Academy in the UK.