Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Kavinda Jayawardena has announced that he will inform the Vatican about what he describes as an improper investigation into the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks and the recent rejection of the no-confidence motion brought against the Deputy Defense Minister.
Speaking at a media briefing, MP Jayawardena said that although the mastermind behind the Easter attacks has been arrested, the government has failed to conduct the investigations in a transparent and independent manner. He accused the authorities of neglecting to carry out proper investigations or make further arrests, leaving justice unserved for the victims, particularly the Catholic community, despite recommendations made by the Presidential Commission of Inquiry.
Jayawardena also questioned the legitimacy of the current Deputy Defense Minister, stating that he was serving as the Eastern Commander during the Easter Sunday bombings. According to the Presidential Commission report, intelligence agencies in the Eastern Province had already identified the hideouts of Zaharan Hashim and his group prior to the attacks. The Deputy Defense Minister has reportedly given a statement to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) regarding these events.
He further highlighted that Aruna Jayasekara, who served as the Eastern Commander during the investigations into the Easter attacks, is now functioning as the Deputy Defense Minister — a situation Jayawardena claims prevents impartial investigations.
Citing these concerns, the opposition led by the SJB filed a no-confidence motion against the Deputy Defense Minister. However, the Speaker did not allow the motion to be tabled in Parliament, which Jayawardena says demonstrates the government’s lack of transparency.
“The government is clearly fearful of this no-confidence motion,” Jayawardena alleged, adding that there are members within the government who would have voted in favor of it. He claimed that this fear is the reason the government blocked the motion from being brought forward.
The SJB now plans to escalate the matter internationally by informing the Vatican and the International Parliamentary Forum. Jayawardena warned that if the government continues to ignore the grievances of the people, the SJB will take steps to inform the wider international community. He emphasized that their efforts are focused on restoring democracy and accountability in the country.
Jayawardena also criticized statements from certain government factions suggesting that no political party will be allowed to take power in the future. He drew parallels with Nepal, where, under a left-wing government, political activities were publicized on social media, eventually leading to a ban on social media platforms. This ban, he said, fueled public anger and protests that ultimately forced the Prime Minister to flee the country and led to the assassination of ministers.
“It is dangerous to underestimate the power of the people,” Jayawardena cautioned, reiterating that the SJB does not wish for such instability in Sri Lanka. “The country must move forward within a democratic framework. That is the wish of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, and the public is closely observing the conduct of the government’s ministers. If the government thinks it can hold onto power forever, that will not happen.”
