Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala said in Parliament today (7) that Pulasthini Mahendran, popularly known as ‘Sarah Jasmine’, is alive, contrary to previous claims. Sarah Jasmine was a key member of the extremist cell led by Zahran Hashim, the mastermind behind the 2019 Easter Sunday suicide bombings. While the previous administration had made efforts to establish that she had died in the aftermath of the attacks, Ananda Wijepala stated that recent findings by investigative units have uncovered evidence proving she is still alive.
The Minister’s remarks came during a parliamentary session in response to a query from Member of Parliament Mujibur Rahman, who sought an update on the progress of investigations regarding her whereabouts. Amidst long-standing suspicions that she fled the country, Mujibur Rahman questioned why the government has not yet issued an open warrant for her arrest, noting that similar measures are taken to repatriate underworld figures hiding abroad. He also enquired whether her case had been raised during recent high-level diplomatic discussions with Indian officials.
Addressing the House, Ananda Wijepala noted that while there is currently no official confirmation that she is residing in India, a comprehensive investigation is underway. He emphasised that the new government is placing a particular focus on uncovering whether a political or external conspiracy existed behind the Easter Sunday attacks. The Minister explained that certain sensitive details could not be disclosed to Parliament at this moment to avoid compromising the integrity of the ongoing probe, but he assured that the government would obtain an open warrant and pursue all necessary judicial actions as required.
The status of Sarah Jasmine has been a subject of significant controversy for years; while some earlier investigative reports suggested she perished in a blast in Sainthamaruthu, media outlets and various analysts have consistently argued she remained at large. Mujibur Rahman pointed out that even members of the current cabinet, including Nalinda Jayatissa, had previously asserted during their time in the opposition that she was in India. Replying on behalf of the Deputy Minister of Defence, Aruna Jayasekara, Ananda Wijepala reiterated that the administration remains committed to a deep inquiry and will not hesitate to take formal legal steps to ensure justice is served.
