Bopage alleges political motives in Easter probe
By K. Sivalingamoorthy
COLOMBO – Attorney-at-law and activist Nuwan Bopage has alleged that ongoing investigations and public narratives surrounding the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks are being driven by political objectives rather than a genuine effort to secure justice for victims.
In a statement posted on his official Facebook page on Monday (8), Bopage argued that successive governments have sought to identify and promote alleged ‘masterminds’ behind the attacks to serve political agendas, warning that such actions risk undermining due process and denying victims meaningful justice.
Referring to the arrest and detention of lawyer Hijaz Hizbullah under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) in 2020, Bopage claimed the case was built around a politically motivated narrative rather than credible evidence.
“At that time, the government needed to present someone as the mastermind of the Easter attacks. Today, a similar drama is being repeated,” he charged.
Bopage also questioned the role played by intelligence officials and state institutions in handling investigations related to the attacks, while noting that former State Intelligence Service (SIS) Director Major General (Retd.) Suresh Sallay, who is currently under investigation in connection with the Easter attacks, had previously been involved in intelligence operations linked to the Hizbullah case.
The lawyer drew comparisons with intelligence failures and controversies in other countries, arguing that intelligence agencies worldwide have often been accused of serious misconduct and political manipulation.
He further claimed that Sri Lanka’s intelligence services had faced allegations over actions during both the southern insurgency period and the civil war, including enforced disappearances and abuses of power.
Addressing the ongoing Easter Sunday attacks trial before a Trial-at-Bar, Bopage stressed that all those responsible for the bombings must be held accountable through a fair and transparent judicial process.
The case currently involves 21 accused and approximately 25,000 charges, with around 2,500 witnesses expected to testify.
Bopage expressed concern over what he described as limitations on legal representation for some suspects following court rulings, arguing that constitutional guarantees of due process, legal counsel and the presumption of innocence must be upheld.
“Victims do not need political theatre or the identification of a convenient mastermind. What they deserve is justice through a fair and independent trial that establishes the truth and punishes the real perpetrators,” he said.
The attorney also criticized the continued use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act, arguing that the legislation creates an imbalance between executive power and the administration of justice.
Bopage said accountability for the Easter Sunday attacks must be pursued through evidence-based investigations and impartial court proceedings rather than political campaigns, adding that public confidence in the justice system depends not only on justice being done, but on it being seen to be done.
-ENCL
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