Sri Lankan social activist Oshala Herath has shared screenshots of WhatsApp messages that allegedly warned authorities ahead of the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks.
The messages appear to show communication between the Director of the State Intelligence Service and the Defence Ministry Secretary. According to the shared information, foreign intelligence agencies had already alerted Sri Lankan officials about a planned attack by Zahran Hashim and his associates.
Early Preparations
The intelligence details suggested that attackers may have conducted a “dry run” using an explosive-laden motorcycle in the Eastern Province. The messages also warned that an attack could occur “on or before April 21, 2019.”
Authorities identified churches and hotels as potential targets in these warnings, raising serious concerns about missed preventive action.
Timeline Shows Early Intelligence but Weak Response
Investigations reveal that Sri Lankan intelligence units began receiving information about the planned attacks as early as April 4, 2019.
According to evidence presented before the Parliamentary Select Committee:
- On April 4, authorities received the first intelligence alert via WhatsApp, followed by written communication on April 5.
- On April 7, officials informed then intelligence chief Sisira Mendis.
- On April 8, they notified Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando, who instructed police to take action.
- On April 9, senior officials held an intelligence coordination meeting.
Despite these warnings, officials reportedly failed to give the threat the urgency it required, raising fresh questions over accountability and security lapses.
