The former head of the Criminal Investigation Department, retired Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police Ravi Senavitharatne claimed that a military intelligence group was involved in the Easter Sunday Attacks on April 21 , 2019 Making his remarks during a special press conference held in Colombo recently Senavitharatne stated that ISIS was not behind the Easter attack, contradicting earlier claims and widespread beliefs.
In a startling revelation the former Senior DIG redirected the focus of the investigation towards internal elements rather than international terrorist organizations. He specifically pointed to Mahesh Senanayake, the army commander at the time of the attack, suggesting that Senanayake must have been aware of the conspiracy. Senavitharatne emphasized the gravity of the situation, noting that if such an intelligence group had been operating within the army without the commander’s knowledge, it would be considered extremely serious, akin to the attack itself.
The controversy deepened when, on June 9, Senavitharatne and former CID Director Shani Abeysekara joined the retired police collective of the National People’s Force. This move prompted a strong response from former army commander Mahesh Senanayake, who made a public statement to the media in Balangoda. In his statement, Senanayake accused Senavitharatne and Abeysekara of being involved in the failure to prevent the Easter Sunday attack. He elaborated on his accusations in a lengthy explanation, asserting that the most disgraceful incident in the 160-year history of the police was the involvement of former officers like Senaviratne and Abeysekara in politics with the National People’s Power.
Senaviratne, in turn, used the media platform to explain why he and his team decided to join the National People’s Power, making an extremely controversial revelation about Army Commander Mahesh Senanayake’s activities and the role of the army’s intelligence agencies in the Easter attack. According to Senaviratne, former army commander Mahesh Senanayake had claimed that the investigation into the deaths of police officers in Vavunathivu was derailed by their actions. However, Senaviratne countered this claim, stating that they were not informed about the incident, further complicating the narrative and raising questions about the integrity and communication within the investigation.
This unfolding drama highlighted the intense and complex nature of the events surrounding the Easter attack and the subsequent investigation. The involvement of high-ranking officials, accusations of conspiracy, and the political implications added layers of intrigue and controversy. The revelations by Senaviratne and the responses from Senanayake illustrated the deep divisions and mistrust among the top echelons of the country’s security and investigative agencies.
As the story continues to develop, it underscores the need for transparency, accountability, and thorough investigation to uncover the truth behind the Easter attack. The public, still reeling from the tragedy, demands answers and justice. The allegations and counter-allegations between former high-ranking officials serve as a stark reminder of the complexities and challenges in addressing such a monumental security failure.
The statements made by Senaviratne and the reactions they elicited from Senanayake and other officials have undoubtedly added a new dimension to the ongoing investigation. As more information comes to light, the focus remains on ensuring that those responsible for the attack, and any subsequent cover-ups, are held accountable. The pursuit of justice for the victims of the Easter attack continues, amidst a backdrop of political maneuvering and revelations of conspiracy.
