Channel-4 reignites controversy surrounding Easter Sunday’s attacks

• The trailer which was available online had been taken off later
• Investigations into the attack that killed 269 people were mired in controversy right from the beginning

By Kelum Bandara  

The trailer for the latest Channel 4 film on Easter Sunday attacks killing 269 individuals has only rekindled suspicion that it is a plot conspired to bring back the Rajapaksa brothers to power on the fame of their ability, real or perceived, to restore national security. The trailer which was available online had been taken off later. But, some people got the opportunity to view it in advance and make some analytical conclusions.  

Investigations into the attack that killed 269 people were mired in controversy right from the beginning since the Catholic Church, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith for that matter, used to speak about what he termed ‘master brain’ behind the attack. The attack was carried out by a gang of extremists inspired by the ISIS ideology. 

Still, the Cardinal asked for a probe to identify the master brain behind the serial bombings. Based on such conspiracy theories, the rumour mill suggested that the bombings were engineered as part of political machinations to ensure the victory of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the 2019 presidential elections.  

The Channel 4 trailer has given rise to such speculation, and sparked fresh talks on probes into the Easter attack. In the video, Head of State Intelligence Service (SIS) Suresh Sallay is implicated in the alleged orchestration of the attack, a charge denied by him. It is true that fresh controversy is triggered by the new documentary aired by Channel 4. Nevertheless, the entire narrative is based on chosen whistleblower Azad Moulana who served as the media spokesman of the political party called ‘Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulihal (TMVP)’ led State Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pilleyan who transitioned himself from being an LTTE child soldier to the status of a politician.   

Questions surround the credibility of the documentary because the narrative hinges on the testimony of Mr. Moulana who is someone with a contentious past. He was the only card-holding Muslim member of the TMVP, a political party with its base in the Eastern Province with sizable concentrations of Muslims.   

National Thowheed Jamath (NTJ), founded by Zaharan Hashim who also blew himself up at a hotel during the Easter attack, also operated from the Eastern Province. Mr. Moulana claimed he was privy to dealings between Suresh Sallay and NTJ in the orchestration of the attack for political ends beneficial to the Rajapaksas.   
It is also questionable because Mr. Moulana makes these allegations as someone now seeking asylum to live in a foreign land. One may wonder whether these allegations are made with such political motivation.  

Also, he makes such allegations in the wake of his dismissal from the party over some allegations. No matter what, the country awaits investigations into the whole episode.   

• Based on such conspiracy theories, the rumour mill suggested that the bombings were engineered as part of political machinations to ensure the victory of former President Gotabaya rajapaksa