New Democratic Front (NDF) Member of Parliament Ravi Karunanayake has issued a stern warning against what he describes as deliberate attempts by certain sections of Sri Lankan society to exploit the ongoing probe into the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks for the purpose of inflaming communal tensions. Speaking at a press conference held in Colombo on Thursday, Karunanayake called for a transparent, impartial, and politically neutral investigation into one of the darkest chapters in Sri Lanka's recent history — one that must not be hijacked by those with divisive agendas.
Karunanayake's Warning at the Colombo Press Conference
Addressing journalists and party representatives, MP Karunanayake made it unequivocally clear that while justice for the victims of the Easter Sunday bombings remains a paramount national priority, the pursuit of that justice must not be weaponized to deepen racial or religious divides. He stressed that certain groups appear to be using the renewed public interest in the investigation not to genuinely seek accountability, but rather to provoke hostility between communities that have long coexisted in Sri Lanka.
Karunanayake emphasized that the victims and their families deserve nothing less than a full and honest reckoning with the truth. However, he cautioned that manufactured outrage and politically motivated narratives surrounding the probe risk doing more harm than good — not only to the investigation itself but to the broader social fabric of the nation. His remarks come at a time when public discourse around the Easter attacks has intensified, with multiple political stakeholders weighing in on the pace and direction of the official inquiry.
Background: The 2019 Easter Sunday Terror Attacks
The Easter Sunday attacks of April 21, 2019, remain one of the most devastating terrorist incidents in Sri Lanka's history. A series of coordinated suicide bombings targeted churches and luxury hotels across the country, killing more than 260 people and injuring hundreds more. The attacks, carried out by local Islamist extremists with alleged international links, sent shockwaves through the nation and the wider international community.
In the years that followed, the investigation into the attacks has been marred by allegations of political interference, intelligence failures, and a lack of accountability at the highest levels of government. Families of victims have long demanded answers regarding what authorities knew before the attacks, why warnings were ignored, and who bears ultimate responsibility for the catastrophic security lapse. These legitimate grievances have kept the issue alive in public consciousness and made it a recurring flashpoint in Sri Lankan politics.
The Risk of Communal Exploitation
Karunanayake's warning touches on a deeply sensitive issue that has plagued Sri Lanka throughout its post-independence history — the manipulation of religious and ethnic identity for political gain. The Easter attacks, which targeted Christian worshippers and were carried out by Muslim extremists, created a complex communal dynamic that certain political actors have sought to exploit ever since.
By framing the demand for justice in ways that cast suspicion on entire religious or ethnic communities rather than focusing on the specific individuals and institutions responsible, these actors risk reigniting tensions that can have devastating real-world consequences. Sri Lanka has experienced the tragic costs of communal violence before, and the MP's message is a timely reminder that the country cannot afford to go down that road again.
Karunanayake made clear that the NDF stands firmly in support of a credible investigation — one that identifies and holds accountable all those responsible, regardless of their political connections or affiliations. At the same time, he called on civil society, religious leaders, and media organizations to exercise responsibility in how they frame and discuss the ongoing probe, urging them not to become unwitting instruments of those seeking to divide rather than unite.
Calls for an Impartial and Transparent Investigation
Central to Karunanayake's address was his insistence that the investigation into the Easter Sunday attacks must be conducted with complete impartiality. He called on the relevant authorities to ensure that the process is free from political interference and that its findings are made fully transparent to the public and to the victims' families.
He also underscored the importance of international cooperation in the investigation, noting that the attacks had cross-border dimensions that require coordinated efforts with foreign intelligence and law enforcement agencies. A thorough investigation, he argued, is the only genuine tribute that the state can offer to those who lost their lives or were permanently scarred by the violence of that fateful April morning.
A Call for National Unity
As Sri Lanka continues to navigate complex political and economic challenges, Karunanayake's message resonates beyond the immediate context of the Easter attacks probe. His call for unity, measured discourse, and a commitment to justice without communal scapegoating reflects the kind of leadership that the country needs as it works to heal old wounds and build a more stable and inclusive future.
The NDF MP's remarks serve as a timely reminder that accountability and reconciliation are not mutually exclusive — and that true justice for the Easter Sunday victims can only be achieved in an environment of national solidarity, not division.