By: Isuru Parakrama
October 03, Colombo (LNW): Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando, the Director of Communications for the Archdiocese of Colombo, has voiced serious concerns regarding the mysterious disappearance of the Presidential Commission’s report on the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks.
According to Fr. Gamini, the report, which was handed over to the President and subsequently passed to the Attorney General’s Department, has now gone missing.
Speaking at a public event held at the BMICH, Fr. Gamini revealed that the missing report contained crucial evidence that could implicate several high-ranking politicians.
He expressed his belief that if the contents of the report were made public, it could lead to the prosecution of individuals involved in the attacks, emphasising the urgent need for a transparent investigation by the current administration.
Fr. Gamini also brought attention to a figure named ‘Abuhind,’ who was allegedly in direct communication with Zahran Hashim, the mastermind behind the Easter Sunday bombings.
He identified Abuhind as a key individual responsible for orchestrating the attack, urging the authorities to delve deeper into his involvement.
Additionally, the priest pointed out that the newly appointed Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security, Ravi Seneviratne, holds vital information about the attacks.
Fr. Gamini’s statement has intensified calls for further scrutiny and investigation into the government’s handling of the aftermath of the attacks.
Following the election of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, two special committees were formed to investigate various aspects of the Easter Sunday bombings. The first committee, established on 11 September 2023, was tasked with probing allegations made by the UK’s Channel 4, which implicated the Sri Lankan military in the attacks. Chaired by retired Supreme Court Judge S.I. Imam, alongside retired Air Force Commander Jayalath Weerakkody and President’s Counsel Harsha A.J. Soza, the committee submitted its final report to the President on 25 June 2024.
A second committee, appointed on 12 June 2024, focused on investigating the failure of intelligence agencies to act on prior warnings of the attack. This committee, chaired by retired judge A.N.J. Alwis, presented its findings on 14 September 2024.
Both committees were expected to offer vital insights into the coordination, failures, and potential complicity in the events leading up to the devastating attack.
The uncertainty surrounding the report’s whereabouts has added fuel to the ongoing controversy surrounding the handling of the Easter Sunday attack, which continues to resonate deeply with the Sri Lankan public.
As pressure mounts, the government will likely face increased scrutiny to deliver answers and ensure justice for the victims of the tragic event.
