LEN - www.lankaenews.com | AG Dileepa Peiris Alleges Suresh Salley Was the Mastermind of Easter Sunday Attacks.

AG Dileepa Peiris Alleges Suresh Salley Was the Mastermind of Easter Sunday Attacks.

By Ruwan Weerakoon

(Lanka-e-News -20.May.2026, 11.45 PM) The Attorney General’s Department today told the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court that former State Intelligence Service Chief Suresh Salley was the mastermind and contractor behind the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks, which killed 278 people.

Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris, appearing for the Attorney General, submitted a 14-page progress report detailing key findings from the ongoing investigations. Suresh Salley, currently under detention, was produced before Magistrate Pasan Amarasena, while two other suspects appeared via Zoom.

Key Allegations Against Suresh Salley

According to the Attorney General’s submissions, since 2017, Salley allegedly planned to use Zaharan Hashim’s group for a major terror operation. Following a 2017 clash in the Aliyar area where Zaharan’s associate Seyni Moulavi was remanded, Salley reportedly used military intelligence funds (Rs. 250,000) to secure his bail. Pillayan also contributed Rs. 50,000 for Moulavi’s family.
Zaharan Hashim and five others, who later carried out the Easter attacks, were allegedly protected and maintained by intelligence networks until 2019 for political purposes.

Initial targets were reportedly a military installation in the North or an attack in the South, but the plan was changed to Easter Sunday to maximise impact on Catholic churchgoers. The ASG further stated that military intelligence under Salley maintained both Pillayan’s group and Zaharan’s group using state funds. These networks were allegedly involved in multiple abductions and killings, including those of journalists Prageeth Eknaligoda, Lasantha Wickrematunge, Keith Noyahr, and Upali Tennakoon.

Rajapaksas’ Visit to Pillayan

The court heard that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, along with Namal Rajapaksa and Basil Rajapaksa, visited Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan (Pillayan) at Batticaloa Prison after the Easter attacks. They allegedly promised that once Gotabaya Rajapaksa became President, Pillayan would be released on bail within a week and Suresh Salley would be brought back to Sri Lanka and re-appointed as intelligence chief.

Post-Attack Revelations

ASG Peiris revealed that after the attacks, Salley hosted a party for Pillayan, his family, and Azad Maulana at a hotel in Ahungalla, an event recorded in the hotel logbook. This contradicts Salley’s earlier claims of having no contact with Pillayan after 2006.

Defence Position

President’s Counsel Shaveendra Fernando, appearing for Salley, argued that the statement of Azad Maulana (recorded in France and aired on Channel 4) is not admissible as it has not been tested through cross-examination. He noted that Maulana is unlikely to return to Sri Lanka due to an outstanding warrant over bigamy charges and questioned Channel 4’s credibility.
Fernando requested the court to begin recording his client’s statement under Section 127 of the Penal Code immediately.

Security and Next Steps

The Additional Solicitor General opposed producing Salley in open court, citing threats to his life and attempts by an organised group to obstruct the investigation. He also stated that Azad Maulana is willing to return to Sri Lanka if provided with adequate security. Maulana reportedly possesses five notebooks, maintained on Pillayan’s instructions, containing details of discussions between Salley, military intelligence, and Zaharan’s group.

Magistrate Pasan Amarasena reserved orders on whether Salley should be produced in open court and whether his confidential statement under Section 127 can be recorded. The case was postponed to June 2, 2026.