Attempts to Disrupt CID Probe Are an Injustice to Easter Attacks Victims

COLOMBO (News 1st) The Catholic Church has issued a statement following the arrest of former Intelligence Chief, Retired Major General Tuan Suresh Salley, who was taken into custody by the CID yesterday in connection with the Easter Sunday attacks.

Rev. Father Cyril Gamini, Spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Colombo, said the Church considered it important to clarify its position after some politicians and individuals began expressing criticism and objections soon after the arrest was announced.

He said investigations into the Easter Sunday attacks were 'completely halted' when Gotabaya Rajapaksa became President, and that no CID investigations took place under President Ranil Wickremesinghe either.

Rev. Father Gamini stated that the previously suspended investigations resumed properly only after the current government came into power in November 2024.

According to him, from November 2024 to February 2026, a period of around 16 months,the CID has carried out the investigations in an orderly and highly independent manner. He noted that the Attorney General had granted approval and authorization to reopen the investigations.

He said the arrest of Suresh Salley is one outcome of the investigations conducted over this period and that the Church believes there is sufficient evidence to justify the arrest. Rev. Father Gamini emphasized that Salley is currently only a suspect, and whether he is guilty or not will be determined by the court process.

He urged the public not to panic, issue unnecessary media statements, or spread commentary on social media regarding the arrest. Instead, he said, people should observe the investigation calmly, patiently, and await its final outcome.

Rev. Father Gamini rejected attempts to give misleading interpretations of the arrest or create wrong perceptions within society. He said there is no need to politicize the matter, stressing that the CID is conducting an independent investigation and should be allowed to continue without interference.

He added that efforts to use political motives or stir up nationalism to disrupt the investigation amount to a grave injustice to those who were killed in the attacks and those permanently affected. The Church, he said, requests everyone not to interfere with the investigations.