• Only aspects unexplored by previous probes to warrant new investigations 

The Government announced its plans to offer new responsibilities to the former Director of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Shani Abeysekara in the context of it resuming investigations into several controversial incidents, including the Easter Sunday terror attacks of 2019. 

Cabinet Spokesperson and Minister of Public Security, Vijitha Herath revealed during the Cabinet press briefing yesterday (8) that the investigations will focus on areas previously untouched by earlier inquiries. Herath stated: "A fresh probe will be launched into the Easter Sunday bombings, building upon the findings of previous investigations initiated by former Governments. However, this will not be a completely new investigation as we will rely on existing findings, though certain aspects that were not addressed earlier will require new investigations."

He added that the inquiry will be led by a Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) to ensure proper oversight and effectiveness in uncovering new details related to the attacks. 

Herath also mentioned that Abeysekara will play a key role in the renewed investigations. "We plan to assign new responsibilities to Abeysekara as needed, throughout the course of the investigation," Herath said.

Following the regime change that took place in 2019, Abeysekara was transferred to serve under the Galle DIG on 20 November 2019, allegedly without giving any reason and thereafter a criminal investigation was initiated against him on 24 June 2020. Later, he was arrested in July 2020, and was charged under the Offensive Weapons Act and Explosives Act, related to the case of the murder of the businessman Mohamed Shiyam. In 2021, he was granted bail by the Court of Appeal and later discharged from the Gampaha Magistrate's Court proceedings. He extended his support to the National People's Power at the recent Presidential Election.