The Catholic Church has called for the ongoing investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday terrorist attacks to continue without interruption, stressing that no political influence should be allowed to hinder the search for the truth.
Addressing a media briefing at the Archbishop’s House in Colombo, Spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Colombo, Cyril Gamini Fernando said former State Intelligence Service Director, Major General (Retired) Suresh Sallay had previously sought an out-of-court settlement in a defamation case filed against him.
However, Fernando said that he had rejected the proposal. He revealed that following the first hearing of the case, Sallay had approached him at the courthouse and stated that the lawsuit had been filed to protect his reputation rather than to cause personal difficulties. According to Fernando, Sallay had suggested the matter could be settled amicably. He said that he had asked what conditions would be required for a settlement, to which Sallay had reportedly requested that references to his name be removed from statements made by Fernando. He said that he had declined the request, maintaining that he stood by his previous remarks and continued to believe that they are accurate.
Fernando emphasised that the ongoing investigations and Sallay’s civil lawsuit are separate matters. He rejected claims circulating on social media that recent developments involving Sallay are intended to influence or undermine the defamation proceedings.
Highlighting the broader significance of the Easter Sunday investigations, Fernando said that questions remain over whether a wider conspiracy existed behind the suicide bombings and who may have planned or orchestrated the attacks. He stressed that uncovering the full truth is a fundamental right of the victims and their families and called on all political parties and politicians to refrain from interfering in the investigative process. “No political party or politician should interfere in these investigations in any way. Under no circumstances should these investigations be allowed to stop,” Fernando said.