Sarah Jasmine ‘Not Dead’, Investigations Ongoing – Sri Lanka Minister Tells Parliament
Colombo — Sri Lanka’s Minister of Public Security, Ananda Wijepala, has told Parliament that information revealed during ongoing investigations indicates that Pulasthini Mahendran, also known as Sarah Jasmine, who is linked to the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks, is not dead.
Addressing Parliament on Tuesday (January 7), the minister said investigators have found no evidence confirming her death, contradicting earlier assumptions made in the aftermath of the attacks.
Mr Wijepala also dismissed reports suggesting that Sarah Jasmine may be currently residing in India, stating that authorities have no information to support such claims.
“If necessary, the government will take steps to obtain a warrant for her arrest,” the minister said, adding that all available legal options remain under consideration as investigations continue.
Ongoing probe into Easter Sunday attacks
The minister stressed that investigations into the Easter Sunday bombings, which killed more than 260 people in April 2019, are still ongoing. He said legal action has already been initiated based on evidence gathered so far.
Mr Wijepala further revealed that the current government is examining whether there was a wider conspiracy behind the attacks, describing the probe as a comprehensive and in-depth investigation.
However, he noted that certain sensitive details could not be disclosed in Parliament at this stage, warning that doing so could compromise ongoing investigations.
“Some information cannot be made public as it may obstruct investigative processes,” he said.
Background
Sarah Jasmine, the wife of one of the Easter Sunday suicide bombers, was previously believed to have died during a security operation in Sainthamaruthu shortly after the attacks. Her fate has remained unclear for several years, with conflicting claims and reports emerging periodically.
The latest statement by the Public Security Minister marks one of the clearest official indications to date that authorities believe she may still be alive.
