Easter Sunday Attacks in Sri Lanka: ISIS Was Behind It – No Doubt, Says Prof. Rohan Gunaratna
The Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka on April 21, 2019, shook the entire nation. Hundreds of innocent people, including children, lost their lives in coordinated suicide attacks at churches and hotels. Since then, many people have demanded answers and justice. In a recent interview, Professor Rohan Gunaratna, a globally recognized expert in counterterrorism and national security, clearly stated that there is no doubt the attacks were carried out by ISIS.
Clear Evidence Points to ISIS
Prof. Gunaratna explained that Zaharan Hashim, the mastermind of the bombings, and his group were directly inspired and influenced by ISIS ideology. He confirmed this through personal interviews with Zaharan’s widow, detained ISIS members in Sri Lanka, and foreign intelligence findings. According to him, multiple reports from FBI, Interpol, New Scotland Yard, and Australian and Sri Lankan intelligence services point to ISIS being the main force behind the Easter attacks.
He also referred to a video where Zaharan pledges loyalty to ISIS. Moreover, the US Department of Justice has officially indicted foreign ISIS operatives who guided the Sri Lankan attackers. The attack, he said, followed the global pattern of ISIS-inspired bombings in other countries.
The Channel 4 Controversy and Misinformation
A UK documentary by Channel 4 alleged that Sri Lankan state intelligence officials may have supported or allowed the attacks for political reasons. Prof. Gunaratna strongly denied these claims. He said the main “witness” in the documentary, Hanzeer Azad Maulana, was an asylum seeker who had forged documents and provided false testimony. He also stated that the timeline and events Maana described did not match verified facts—especially claims about a supposed “safe house” that didn’t exist at the time he said it did.
Prof. Gunaratna stressed the importance of basing conclusions on facts and evidence, not hearsay or politically motivated stories.
Missed Warnings and Political Failure
One of the most alarming revelations from the interview was that over 330 warnings about Zaharan and the threat of ISIS were available to Sri Lankan authorities before the attack. However, these warnings were not taken seriously due to political neglect and lack of action.
He emphasized that both intelligence officers and political leaders need to work hand-in-hand, with political leaders educated regularly on the country’s evolving security threats. Failing to act on critical intelligence allowed the tragedy to happen.
Five Key National Security Threats
Prof. Gunaratna identified five major national security threats facing Sri Lanka:
Religious extremism and terrorism
Separatist movements
Organized crime, especially drug trafficking
Cybercrime and misinformation
Foreign interference and geopolitical pressure
He stressed that these threats must be managed through strategic partnerships, intelligence sharing with global allies, and public education.
Protests and Justice for Victims
Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith and other religious leaders have called for justice and threatened protests. Prof. Gunaratna said while peaceful protests are a democratic right, large-scale protests should not be allowed to destabilize the country. He warned that instability can threaten economic recovery and national unity.
He also criticized previous governments for not fully implementing recommendations from various investigative commissions, including the Presidential Commission led by Justice Janaka de Silva. He urged the government to publicly clarify that the Easter attacks were not part of a local or foreign intelligence plot but a direct act of terrorism by ISIS-linked radicals.
Economic and Social Stability at Risk
He discussed how Sri Lanka’s economic crisis, worsened by the pandemic and Easter attacks, could have been avoided with better leadership. He recommended setting up a National Economic Council, similar to the National Security Council, to prepare for and respond to future crises.
Prof. Gunaratna highlighted that Sri Lanka’s foreign policy should be balanced, engaging with both East and West to attract investments and avoid falling victim to global power struggles.
Working with the Muslim Community
The professor described the Sri Lankan Muslim community as mostly peaceful and rooted in traditional Sufi practices. However, outside influences like Wahhabism and Jamaati Islamism introduced extremist ideas. He urged the government to work closely with Muslim leaders to prevent radicalization, especially during ongoing Middle Eastern conflicts such as the Gaza crisis.
Accountability and Moving Forward
Finally, Prof. Gunaratna stated that Sri Lanka should address human rights concerns through domestic mechanisms, not by withdrawing from global institutions like the UN Human Rights Council. He believes this will help Sri Lanka earn international trust and rebuild its economy.
To truly move forward, Prof. Gunaratna urged the country to invest in education and send its brightest minds to world-class universities. This, he believes, will help build a future generation of ethical, intelligent, and dedicated leaders who can guide Sri Lanka toward peace and prosperity.
Key message to move forward:
Prof. Gunaratna’s message is clear—Sri Lanka must confront the truth about the Easter Sunday attacks and act decisively to stop extremism, ensure justice, and strengthen national security. Only by facing the facts, working together, and preparing for future threats can the nation prevent another tragedy and build a stable and united future.
Professor Rohan Gunaratna makes a powerful closing statement by calling Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith “the most powerful man in Sri Lanka.” The Cardinal, having successfully rallied public opinion against multiple presidents—Sirisena, Gotabaya, and Wickremesinghe—now seems poised to pressure President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, warning of protests if no progress is made before the sixth anniversary of the Easter Sunday tragedy. Prof. Gunaratna cautions against turning the attack into a “political football,” stressing that justice must come from truth, not theatrics. He urges the public to rely on official investigations and verified reports, not rumors and conspiracy theories. Six years is long enough to be misled. It’s time for unity, clarity, and responsible leadership.
He also underlines the need for a smarter approach to national resilience—recommending the immediate setup of a National Economic Council (NEC) alongside the existing National Security Council, to guard against future crises. Investing in the future means investing in young minds—Gunaratna highlights that no Sri Lankan university ranks globally, and calls for sending Sri Lankan students to the world’s top institutions. If political and civil leaders reflect and learn from these painful chapters, there’s still time to rebuild a stronger, safer, and more stable Sri Lanka—for everyone.
If you know someone still confused about what really happened on Easter Sunday, please share this video with them. Let facts—not fear—shape our future.
By Author, Admin, Niroshana De Silva. You can reach him at prminds@gmail.com
Video link reference to a recent interview with Professor Rohan Gunaratna, a globally recognized expert in counterterrorism and national security.
