MR calls on all communities to join in remembering Easter attack victims

Tuesday, 21 April 2020 01:59 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday called on all communities to join in the first year remembrance of Easter Sunday attack victims in accordance with their respective faiths.

The full statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office is given below.

Last year, on Easter Sunday – 21 April 2019, suicide bombings on three Christian churches as well as three prominent hotels in Colombo killed over 250 and injured more than 500 people. Most of the victims were worshipers who had gathered in churches to celebrate the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.

This was the worst terrorist attack on civilians ever to take place not only in Asia, but also anywhere in the world. The Tokyo poison gas attack of 1995, the Oklahoma City bombing of 1995, the London bombings of 2005 and the Mumbai attacks of 2008 which are internationally remembered, were all of a lesser magnitude than the Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka.

One victim of the Easter Sunday attacks died recently after battling for life for nearly a year. Some victims are still receiving treatment for their injuries.

We in Sri Lanka are no strangers to suicide bombings. However, the Easter Sunday bombings differed from what we had experienced during the 30-year war against separatism. The intelligence service of a friendly country had provided advance warning to the then Sri Lankan Government of the possible dates and targets of the attacks, and the names, addresses, identity card numbers and even telephone numbers of the terrorists involved. Therefore, this attack could easily have been prevented.

The Archbishop of Colombo, His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith has requested all Catholics to light a lamp in their homes in remembrance of the victims. I wish to request Sri Lankans to remember those who died, were injured, and those who were disabled due to the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks in accordance with their own faiths.

I wish you the blessings of the Triple Gem. May God Bless you!