'Planned and Coordinated by Salley': Court Imposes Travel Ban on Sri Lanka's Ex-President Gotabaya

by Zulfick Farzan 03-06-2026 | 5:41 PM

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Easter Sunday terror attack investigation took a decisive turn after the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) informed the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court that the 2019 attacks were carried out under the planned coordination and direction of former Director of State Intelligence, retired Major General Suresh Sallay.

The disclosure was made before Colombo Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena, as the CID presented a detailed progress report outlining new findings in the high-profile investigation.

Acting on the submissions, the Magistrate ordered that former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa be prohibited from traveling overseas.

In addition to the former President, the court also imposed foreign travel bans on two members of the Sri Lanka Army, following the CID’s request.

The CID told court that the Easter Sunday attacks were not isolated incidents, but rather the outcome of a systematically planned and coordinated operation, identifying the series of bombings as part of a large-scale and organized conspiracy.

According to the CID’s report, investigators stated that based on the evidence gathered so far, there exists reasonable suspicion that Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the two Army personnel had either direct or indirect involvement, or prior knowledge, in relation to the attacks and the developments that followed.

The CID further informed court that as the investigation is expanding into a broader and more comprehensive phase, there is a significant risk of the suspects attempting to flee the country, necessitating immediate preventive measures.

Taking these factors into consideration, Magistrate Pasan Amarasena granted approval for travel bans on Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Sri Lanka Army Colonel Rizan Tiroshan Ansar, and former intelligence officer Prem Ananda Udalagama.

Meanwhile, retired Major General Suresh Sallay, who has been identified by the CID as a key figure in the alleged coordination of the attacks, is currently being held under detention orders in the custody of the Criminal Investigation Department.

Two additional suspects connected to the case remain in remand custody. They were produced before court via Skype, and the Magistrate ordered that they be further remanded until June 17.