SW News: In a recent development, a British broadcaster has released a documentary that supports the assertions made by Sri Lankan Church leaders regarding the involvement of senior government officials in the planning of the devastating Easter Sunday terrorist attacks in 2019. These attacks resulted in the tragic loss of 272 lives and left numerous others injured.

In a recent broadcast on September 6, Channel 4 delved into the revelations brought forth by Hanzeer Azad Maulana, a former member of a paramilitary group in Sri Lanka. The program shed light on the leaked information provided by Maulana.

In a statement, it has been asserted that senior officials, who are known to have connections to the politically influential Rajapaksa family, were allegedly involved in facilitating the coordinated explosions. The purported motive driving their actions was to allegedly instill a sense of insecurity within the nation and capitalize on the circumstances to acquire power, all under the guise of national security.

In a strong challenge to the assertion that the bombings in the island nation were a terrorist act orchestrated by Islamic extremists for political motives, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, the sole Catholic Church authority in the country, has voiced his opposition. In the documentary, the top prelate reiterated the allegation, asserting that Sri Lanka's top officials were implicated in an intricate plot to gain control.

In a recent revelation, the informant disclosed that in the year 2018, confidential discussions took place between the leaker, former senior military intelligence officer Major General Suresh Salley, and a cohort of deeply radicalized Muslim adolescents who were later identified as suicide bombers.

In the aftermath of the assault on the pillar of national security, an announcement was made by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, declaring his intention to run for the presidency. Subsequently, upon assuming the position, Rajapaksa appointed Salley as the director of the State Intelligence Service.

In a recent development, the Colombo High Court has commenced proceedings in a defamation case filed by Salley against Catholic cleric Gamini Fernando on September 4. According to reports, the cleric made the claim that Salley was the one responsible for the attack.

According to sources, following the priest's remarks during an online lecture on October 23, 2021, which allegedly harmed Salley's reputation, he has decided to pursue a legal claim seeking fifty million Sri Lankan rupees in damages. The litigation is reportedly set to commence in February of next year.