The Leader of the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya, former Minister Udaya Gammanpila today (22) presented a set of 10 questions addressed to the Spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Colombo, Reverend Father Cyril Gamini Fernando.
Addressing a media briefing in Colombo, former Minister Gammanpila also called on journalists to repeatedly raise these questions at future press conferences if Rev. Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando declines to respond.
Former Minister Gammanpila made a series of allegations and posed questions relating to the Easter Sunday attacks and subsequent investigations. He claimed that there were “real beneficiaries” of the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings and questioned the role and tenure extensions of Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, suggesting that the Cardinal had received multiple service extensions beyond his expected retirement date.
He further questioned statements previously made by Rev. Fr. Cyril Gamini, particularly an interview dated October 13, 2021, in which it was allegedly stated that the mastermind of the Easter attacks was “Sallay.” The former Minister questioned based on what evidence such a claim had been made.
He also referred to allegations regarding pressure on authorities to halt investigations into the Easter Sunday attacks and raised concerns about the legality of requests made for suspects to provide passwords to their electronic devices.
Commenting on the treatment of suspect Major General Suresh Sallay, former Minister Udaya Gammanpila cited judicial medical and human rights reports, questioning whether it was appropriate to justify alleged inhumane treatment if such reports were accurate.
In addition, he raised concerns about the reinstatement of certain police officials previously linked to the investigation, questioning whether such decisions were appropriate given prior allegations and recommendations for legal action.
Former Minister Gammanpila concluded by questioning what he described as inconsistencies in the identification of the alleged mastermind behind the Easter attacks, and asked whether information regarding individuals such as “Abu Hind” had been provided to investigators.
