(-Polonnaruwa – 2025.04.20-)
President Anura Kumara Disanayake stressed that he has directed the full report and all related documents of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) into the Easter Sunday attacks to be handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) today for further investigation. He reaffirmed his commitment to exposing the true perpetrators of this heinous attack to the public.
The President noted that, over the past five and a half years (from April 2019 to September 2024), investigations had been manipulated to safeguard the real masterminds. However, since the current government came to power six months ago, clear, step-by-step actions have been taken to ensure those responsible for the Easter attacks are brought before the law.He assured the public that this process will continue.
President Disanayake revealed that key sections of the Presidential Commission’s report had never previously been shared with either the public or the CID. Had the current government not taken office, these documents would have remained hidden.
The President made these remarks while addressing another mass rally of the “Jaya Niyathai – Gama Apitai” (Victory is Certain – the Village is Ours) campaign in Polonnaruwa today (20 April).
On 21 September, the people of Sri Lanka made a decisive political change, completely altering the nation’s trajectory. For the first time, political power; long held by a privileged few, was transferred to the common people. The Polonnaruwa district played a significant role in this transformation. Later, on 14 November, the parliamentary elections further solidified this shift, with the National People’s Power (NPP) securing a decisive victory.
After six months in government, preparations are now underway for the local government elections on 6 May, where the NPP expects a strong mandate reflecting public trust.
President Disanayake asserted that no other political movement in Sri Lanka today possesses the capability, responsibility, or commitment to lead the nation forward except the NPP. The people have broken free from traditional party loyalties and placed their faith in this movement.
He assured the public that the power entrusted to the NPP would never be exploited for personal gain but would always be used for the welfare of the people.
Previous rulers crippled Sri Lanka’s economy, pushing it to the brink of collapse. By 2022–2023, Sri Lanka was among a handful of nations that shared this fate. The NPP is now systematically rebuilding what was ruined over 76 years, ensuring that future generations never suffer such devastation again.
How many challenges have we had to face? Sri Lanka endured a 30-year war, with Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim communities divided by suspicion and mistrust. Political parties fuelled ethnic racism for electoral gain, deepening these fractures.
However, in the last parliamentary elections, the NPP emerged as a unifying force across the North, East, and South, a historic moment of national solidarity.
Six months into office, there is zero tolerance for racial strife. The government will not allow any resurgence of racial conflict. If existing laws are insufficient, new legislation will be enacted to eradicate racism and foster unity.
Today marks Easter Sunday, a day forever overshadowed by the 2019 attacks, a tragedy orchestrated for political gain. For five and a half years, investigations were manipulated to shield the true conspirators. Neither the 2019 government nor its successors had any intention of bringing the real culprits to justice.
It has now been six years since the Easter Sunday attacks and nearly six months since we assumed office. Step by step, we have been taking, and will continue to take all necessary actions to bring those responsible to justice.
Today, I received the full report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) into the Easter Sunday attacks. Until now, this report had not been presented in its entirety to the public or the CID. Only selected portions had been selectively released. I have now forwarded the complete set of documents to the CID for thorough investigation. These documents had remained hidden until we came to power.
We have now officially handed over all these documents to the CID so that they can study them carefully and present their recommendations. There are a large number of recommendations in the report and all must be implemented.
Furthermore, several incidents related to the attacks caused significant public unrest at the time. For instance, there is suspicion about who placed a jacket at the scene where the first two police officers were killed. There are doubts regarding the use of certain identified telephone numbers. We are continuing with the investigations and inquiries, working to resolve these suspicions. We are committed to revealing the true perpetrators of the Easter attacks to the people of this country.
At the same time, we have managed to stabilise the country’s collapsed economy to a considerable extent. As a result, the country is now gradually returning to normalcy. The vehicle market has reopened. The dollar remains stable against the rupee; a clear sign of economic stabilisation. Oil prices have decreased. Electricity tariffs have been reduced. We have also succeeded in lowering the prices of essential food items.
We are prepared to allocate the necessary funds for provincial development. Accordingly, we have allocated Rs. 500 million to renovate the small and medium-sized tanks under the Minneriya reservoir. More funds can be provided as required. However, to ensure effective use of these funds, we need a functional and efficient state apparatus. We have already prepared the necessary plans for this.
In the past, there was a group that operated above the law, without fear. Today, we are building a society where every citizen is subject to the law and fears breaking it. The CID has launched numerous investigations. The Attorney General’s Department has begun its work. The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption is now active. Where existing laws were inadequate, we have enacted new legislation.
On 8 April, we passed a new law enabling the government to confiscate illegally acquired assets. In this way, we have strengthened the legal system. Anyone who misuses public funds must now fear the consequences. The people entrusted us with power and today, we are fulfilling the expectations they placed upon us.
Today, those most agitated are those with the most to fear. We have no intention of taking revenge on anyone. Our only aim is to re-establish the supremacy of the rule of law in this country. We must instil a mindset where anyone even considering the misuse of public funds fears punishment. Only then can we truly rebuild this nation.
In the past, state assets were divided among a select few and looted. Today, the wealth of the Treasury is beginning to flow back to the people. That is the true duty of any government and the present administration is fulfilling that responsibility.
While we are achieving progress at the national level, it is equally important to strengthen the process at the grassroots level through strong local leadership. When rural roads are built and villages are developed, we need political leadership at the village level to drive these efforts.
These local government bodies, municipal and urban councils, must be entrusted to honest, capable individuals, not the corrupt. I appeal to the people: let us elect representatives to local government who can be trusted to manage public funds responsibly and with integrity.
