Q: What is the UPSC significance of "Sri Lanka arrests ex-intel chief over 2019 Easter bombings"?

This current affair on "Sri Lanka arrests ex-intel chief over 2019 Easter bombings" is important for UPSC GS2 — international. Understanding its background, causes, and implications is essential for both UPSC Prelims and Mains preparation.

Q: Which GS Paper does international fall under for UPSC?

international topics are covered under GS2 in the UPSC Prelims and Mains syllabus. Current affairs on international are regularly tested in UPSC examinations and require understanding of both policy dimensions and current developments.

Q: How is this current affair relevant for UPSC Mains answer writing?

For UPSC Mains, "Sri Lanka arrests ex-intel chief over 2019 Easter bombings" can be linked to GS2 questions on international. Focus on the causes, government response, challenges, and way forward. Use data points and connect it with relevant schemes and constitutional provisions for a high-scoring Mains answer.

Sri Lanka arrests ex-intel chief over 2019 Easter bombings — UPSC Current Affairs | February 25, 2026

Must Review

Arrest of Sri Lanka’s ex‑intel chief underscores post‑terror accountability

Key Facts

Former Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Suresh Sallay was arrested on 23 April 2024.
He is alleged to have met the Islamist bombers planning the 2019 Easter attacks.
The 2019 Easter bombings killed over 250 people and injured more than 500 across churches and hotels.
The attacks were carried out by the National Thowheeth Jama’ath (NTJ), a local Islamist group with alleged foreign links.
The arrest follows a Supreme Court‑ordered inquiry and a 2022 parliamentary committee report recommending intelligence reforms.
Sri Lanka’s intelligence agencies are being restructured under the National Security Council Act 2023.
The case may reshape South Asian counter‑terrorism cooperation, notably with India’s Ministry of Home Affairs.

Background & Context

The Easter bombings exposed serious lapses in Sri Lanka’s intelligence and crisis‑management mechanisms, prompting debates on oversight, legal accountability and inter‑regional security cooperation. In the UPSC syllabus, this links to internal security, governance reforms and India‑South Asia strategic relations.

Mains Answer Angle

GS‑2: Assess the challenges of ensuring accountability and effectiveness of intelligence agencies in South Asia post‑2019 Easter bombings, using the arrest of Suresh Sallay as a case study.

Full Article

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It was reported that Suresh Sallay was linked to the Islamist bombers and had met them prior to the attack

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Practice Questions

Prelims

Medium

Prelims MCQ

Intelligence accountability and counter‑terrorism

2 marks

5 keywords

GS2

Easy

Mains Short Answer

Intelligence reforms

10 marks

5 keywords

GS2

Hard

Mains Essay

Intelligence accountability

25 marks

6 keywords

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