Overview
- A Colombo Fort Magistrate's Court on Wednesday ordered immigration to block Gotabaya Rajapaksa and two former officers from leaving Sri Lanka after the Criminal Investigation Department asked for the restriction to protect the ongoing inquiry.
- The CID has for the first time called Rajapaksa a "person of interest" in the probe but has not formally named him a suspect, saying investigators are trying to avoid steps that could obstruct evidence gathering.
- Former State Intelligence chief Suresh Sallay has been held since February 25 under detention orders after investigators accused him of orchestrating the April 21, 2019 attacks, an allegation he denies.
- The travel ban also covers Army Colonel Mohamed Ansar and ex-intelligence officer Premananda Udalagama, whom authorities say could hinder the investigation if they leave the country.
- The 2019 bombings killed about 279 people and wounded more than 500; the current probe was reopened by the National People's Power government after reporting and whistleblower claims that security failures and political interference may have shaped the earlier official response, and the court measures increase the chance of prosecutions if evidence supports charges.