Easter Sunday Carnage: Cardinal reveals ex-President Rajapaksa conveyed ‘inability’ to implement PCoI recommendations
By: Isuru Parakrama
April 22, Colombo (LNW): The Archbishop of Colombo, His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, addressing a mass in Colombo commemorating the 5th anniversary of the Easter Sunday carnage, which took away more than 270 lives in 2019, voiced disappointment over the Sri Lankan government’s failure to act upon recommendations outlined in the Presidential Commission report.
In a staggering revelation, Cardinal Ranjith disclosed that former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa conveyed what he described as the ex-Head of State’s ‘inability’ to implement the report’s recommendations, citing potential repercussions involving individuals linked to organisations close to him.
This revelation sheds light on the challenges hindering justice for the victims and their families.
Expressing further criticism, the Archbishop highlighted the current government’s reluctance to initiate a fresh investigation into the Easter Sunday bombings, underscoring the importance of pursuing accountability and closure for the tragic events of April 2019.
In addition to concerns regarding the government’s handling of the Easter Sunday attacks, the Cardinal condemned the current UNP-SLPP Administration’s decisions to sell national assets to foreign powers.
This criticism reflects broader apprehensions about the implications of such actions on Sri Lanka’s sovereignty and economic integrity.
Overall, Cardinal Ranjith’s remarked the pressing need for governmental accountability and action in ensuring justice for the victims of the Easter Sunday attacks, while also highlighting concerns about the direction of national policies and decisions regarding national assets.
On April 21, 2019 a series of suicide bomb attacks were carried out targeting prominent Catholic churches and luxury hotels in Sri Lanka by a local group of extremists allegedly having ties to international terrorist organisations.
The carnage stemmed ethnic unrest across the land, severely affecting Sri Lanka’s peace and reconciliation, and questioning the accountability of rule of law.
Many families of the victims were left with frustration and disillusion by the lack of accountability and transparency in the judicial process.
The event supposedly contributed to the defeat of the previous Good Governance (Yahapalana) regime at the 2019 Presidential Election which was held months after the genocide, paving the way for a landslide victory for the current regime then led by Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
Despite political acclamation over the tragedy and countless assurances to serve justice for the victims of the attack and their families, closure to the shockwaves sent across the nation by the carnage still remains elusive.
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