Opposition figures accuse Govt. of targeting Gotabaya Rajapaksa over Easter attacks probe

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By Editor_1
Former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Opposition political and religious leaders accuse the government of attempting to implicate the former president in the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks for political purposes - Tharaka Basnayaka/Bloomberg/File

By K. Sivalingamoorthy 

COLOMBO – Several opposition political and religious leaders have accused the government of attempting to implicate former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks for political purposes, allegations the government has not publicly responded to.

The claims were made during a meeting of opposition leaders and Buddhist clergy held at Nalandaramaya Vihara in Nugegoda to discuss recent political developments, including a court-imposed overseas travel ban on Rajapaksa and ongoing investigations linked to the Easter Sunday bombings.

Among those attending the meeting were Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera, General Secretary of the Bodu Bala Sena; Ranjith Madduma Bandara, General Secretary of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya; Nimal Siripala de Silva, leader of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party; Patali Champika Ranawaka, leader of the United Republic Front; former minister G. L. Peiris; MP Ravi Karunanayake; and several senior Buddhist monks.

Addressing reporters after the meeting, Sugiswara Bandara, a former secretary to former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, alleged that the government was attempting to connect Rajapaksa to the Easter Sunday attacks as part of a politically motivated campaign.

“The government is staging a drama to link former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to the Easter Sunday attacks and arrest him,” Bandara claimed, deeming the move a pre-planned effort to divert attention from governance failures, difficulties in managing IMF-related reforms and allegations of corruption.

Bandara also questioned the credibility of testimony reportedly provided by Asad Maulana, a key witness referenced in recent investigations, arguing that previous inquiries had raised concerns about the reliability of his statements.

He further alleged that investigators had improperly relied on Maulana’s testimony, and called for him to be brought before Sri Lankan courts if authorities wished to use his evidence.

The opposition meeting also focused on concerns regarding proposed legislation affecting religious institutions and the administration of Buddhist religious sites.

Bandara claimed that recent government initiatives could undermine the autonomy of Buddhist institutions and bring key religious properties under greater state control. He said the gathering had been convened to discuss what participants viewed as common concerns affecting the Buddhist community.

The former presidential aide also raised concerns over the detention conditions of former intelligence chief Major General (Retd.) Suresh Sallay, alleging that he was being held under conditions that had caused severe mental stress. He said the government would bear responsibility if any harm befell the former military intelligence chief.

-ENCL

Editor_1
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