Sri Lanka's president, Ranil Wickremesinghe, has announced the formation of a committee to investigate allegations made in a British television report that the country's intelligence was complicit in the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings. The attacks, which targeted three churches and three tourist hotels, resulted in the deaths of 269 people, including 42 foreigners from 14 countries.

The decision to appoint a committee, chaired by a retired Supreme Court judge, came under pressure from opposition lawmakers, religious leaders, activists, and victims' relatives, who claim that previous probes failed to uncover the truth behind the bombings. The primary mission of the committee is to investigate the "serious allegations recently brought to light by Channel 4 in a broadcast video," according to a statement from the president's office.

In the program aired by Channel 4, a man claimed to have arranged a meeting between a local Islamic State-inspired group and a top state intelligence official to plot the bombings in order to create instability and enable a former president, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, to win the 2019 presidential election.

While Rajapaksa denies these allegations, President Wickremesinghe's decision to launch an investigation demonstrates a determined effort to uncover the truth and ensure accountability. The president's office stated that the findings of the committee's investigation will be referred to a parliamentary panel for further action.

Additionally, President Wickremesinghe pledged to appoint a separate parliamentary select committee to investigate allegations that the entire attack was a conspiracy with a mastermind behind it. The 2019 Easter Sunday bombings, carried out by the Islamist extremist group National Thowheed Jamath, linked to ISIS, led to significant political change in Sri Lanka.

The country's defense ministry has vehemently denied allegations against the intelligence chief, emphasizing his dedicated service to the nation over 36 years. The formation of these investigative committees is a significant step towards uncovering the truth behind the Easter Sunday bombings and holding accountable those responsible for the devastating attacks that shook Sri Lanka.

As the nation grapples with the legacy of this tragic event, President Wickremesinghe's actions demonstrate a commitment to justice and ensuring the safety and security of the country's citizens. The reports from both committees will be presented in parliament for final action, marking an important milestone in the pursuit of truth and justice for the victims and their families.