Minister Bimal Rathnayake has confirmed that efforts are underway to bring Asad Maulana, the key figure featured in the Channel 4 documentary on the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks, back to Sri Lanka through official channels.
Addressing the media, he criticised the opposition for submitting a no-confidence motion against Deputy Minister of Defence Aruna Jayasekara at what he described as a “critical juncture” in the investigation process.
“While we are working through official channels to secure Asad Maulana’s return, the opposition has chosen to file a no-confidence motion against Aruna Jayasekara. Once the Speaker issues the order, it will be made public without hesitation. However, politics should not be dragged to such a low level. It is troubling to see the opposition still operating with such a narrow-minded approach,” Rathnayake said.
He further alleged that former leaders Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sajith Premadasa, and Gotabaya Rajapaksa—who held office during and after the Easter Sunday attacks—failed to initiate any investigation into Aruna Jayasekara at the time.
“For six years, under two different governments, no investigation was conducted into Aruna Jayasekara. Now, after reinstating Ravi Seneviratne and Shani Abeysekara, arresting Pillayan and his associate Iniya Bharathi, and establishing contact with Asad Maulana, the opposition is focused on a no-confidence motion instead of supporting ongoing investigations,” he said.
Minister Rathnayake also called for inquiries into Sajith Premadasa and Ranil Wickremesinghe for their alleged failure to launch a probe into Aruna Jayasekara following the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks.
