April 20, Colombo (LNW): The findings of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings have been formally transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), paving the way for further legal scrutiny and potential prosecutions.
Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala confirmed that the report was handed over by the Secretary to the President, acting on a directive issued by President Anura Dissanayake.
The transfer signals a renewed political and judicial commitment to addressing one of the most traumatic episodes in Sri Lanka’s recent history—an attack that claimed the lives of over 260 individuals and left hundreds more injured in a series of coordinated suicide bombings targeting churches and hotels on 21 April 2019.
The decision to escalate the matter to the CID reflects mounting public pressure for transparency and accountability in a case that has long been mired in controversy, delays, and competing political narratives.
Although several arrests were made in the immediate aftermath of the carnage, critics have persistently accused successive governments of failing to uncover the full extent of the conspiracy or bring its masterminds to justice.
The President’s administration appears intent on shifting that perception, with officials close to the matter suggesting that no individuals, regardless of political standing or institutional affiliation, will be shielded from investigation if evidence warrants scrutiny.
The CID, now in possession of the full commission report, is expected to re-examine testimony, cross-reference findings with existing case files, and pursue leads that may have been previously overlooked or inadequately pursued.
The report itself is said to contain sensitive material, including intelligence failures, lapses in communication among security agencies, and alleged political negligence—all of which are now likely to come under fresh examination.
There is particular public interest in determining whether the attack, which struck during the Christian holy period of Easter, could have been prevented with timely and coordinated action from those in power at the time.
With the investigation entering a new phase, victims’ families and advocacy groups have cautiously welcomed the development but remain sceptical. For many, justice has been a long-promised but undelivered pledge—one marked by delayed court proceedings, incomplete inquiries, and opaque political manoeuvring.
