Leader of the Opposition, Sajith Premadasa, delivered a passionate address in Parliament today, raising serious concerns over the abrupt transfer of 31 officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) who were actively involved in investigations related to the Easter Sunday attack. He also expressed alarm regarding the banning of 700 officers from traveling abroad, reportedly on the orders of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Premadasa's remarks ignited calls for an immediate government investigation into these actions.

During the parliamentary session, Sajith Premadasa emphasized the need for an international inquiry, contending that the local mechanisms for uncovering the truth behind the Easter Sunday attack had been compromised. The attack, which occurred in April 2019, remains one of Sri Lanka's most tragic and significant security incidents.

Premadasa highlighted a critical aspect of the investigation, noting the close association between the leader of the Easter Sunday attack, Mohammad Saharan, and an intelligence officer. He underscored the necessity of investigating whether higher authorities had ordered that this officer not be questioned due to concerns related to national security.

In his address, Sajith Premadasa emphasized the importance of a thorough and impartial investigation to uncover the truth behind the Easter Sunday attack. He questioned the timing of certain actions, such as the sudden transfers of CID officers and the restrictions placed on the travel of hundreds of officers. These developments, he argued, raised serious doubts and warranted immediate scrutiny.

Furthermore, Premadasa addressed allegations made against Archbishop Malcolm Ranjith, stating that he was aware of the attack and calling for caution against unwarranted accusations. He also expressed concern over the alleged targeting of Shani Abeysekera, an honest police chief, and the circumstances surrounding this matter.

Premadasa concluded by stressing the collective responsibility of all stakeholders in addressing the Easter Sunday attack and finding an uncorrupted mechanism to uncover the truth. He firmly believed that an international investigation was essential to ensure transparency and accountability, citing concerns about the integrity of the local inquiry process.