A court has imposed an overseas travel ban on former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and two military officers in connection with ongoing investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday terrorist attacks, one of the deadliest incidents in Sri Lanka’s recent history.
The order was issued by Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena when a case linked to the Easter Sunday attacks was taken up before the court on Tuesday (03). The case concerns former Director of State Intelligence Service, retired Major General Suresh Sallay, who has been named as a suspect in the ongoing investigation.
The Easter Sunday bombings, carried out on April 21, 2019, targeted churches and luxury hotels across Sri Lanka, claiming the lives of more than 260 people and injuring hundreds more. The attacks shocked the nation and triggered multiple investigations, commissions of inquiry, and legal proceedings aimed at identifying those responsible and examining whether intelligence failures contributed to the tragedy.
The latest court order is viewed as a significant development in the continuing legal process. Travel bans are commonly imposed during high-profile investigations to ensure that individuals remain available for questioning, court appearances, and any future legal proceedings that may arise from the investigation.
Legal observers note that such measures do not determine guilt or innocence but are often used to facilitate the smooth conduct of investigations and protect the integrity of judicial proceedings.
Over the years, the Easter Sunday attacks have remained a matter of public concern, with victims’ families, religious leaders, and civil society groups continuing to call for accountability and transparency. Several reports and investigations have highlighted the need to establish responsibility at different levels of the security and intelligence apparatus.
Authorities have indicated that investigations are continuing, with further evidence gathering and legal reviews expected in the coming months. The case is likely to remain under close public scrutiny as efforts continue to uncover the full circumstances surrounding the attacks.
