Ex-Spy Chief Arrested in Sri Lanka Bombings

Police in Sri Lanka have arrested Suresh Salley, a retired army major general and the country's former intelligence chief, in connection with the 2019 Easter Sunday suicide bomb attacks. The coordinated assaults on April 21, 2019, targeted churches and prominent tourist hotels, claiming the lives of approximately 270 people. Videos released by the perpetrators showed them pledging allegiance to the Islamic State group, which is believed to have inspired the attacks.

The Criminal Investigation Department is currently investigating potential links or lapses on Salley's part concerning the deadly bombings. Allegations that the attackers had connections to Sri Lanka's state intelligence surfaced following the incident. A 2023 interview with Channel 4 featured a man who claimed to have arranged a meeting between Salley and the local group National Thowheed Jamath, reportedly to create insecurity and influence an upcoming presidential election.