Suresh Sallay, a retired major general and former intelligence chief of Sri Lanka, was arrested Wednesday for his alleged role in the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings that killed over 260 people. Reports indicate that he is facing charges related to conspiracy as well as for aiding and abetting the attackers. The arrest comes as part of ongoing investigations into the attacks, which have been criticized for the government's failure to act on prior intelligence warnings.

According to reports from British broadcaster Channel 4, Sallay was in contact with the Islamist bombers prior to the attacks and had allegedly met with them. Whistleblowers suggest that he allowed the attacks to proceed for ulterior motives, which included influencing the outcome of that year's presidential elections in favor of Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who positioned himself as a hardliner against Islamist extremism. This connection highlights serious concerns regarding the involvement of security forces in the political machinations surrounding the attacks.

The bombings targeted popular tourist hotels and churches in Colombo, leading to a national and international outcry over security failures. These developments reflect Sri Lanka's continuing struggle with its past, particularly in dealing with the conflicting narratives of accountability and political expediency in the wake of the attacks, raising questions about the effectiveness of current leadership and the integrity of the country's security apparatus.