Catholic Church questions Govt., Police over attempts to block peaceful Easter Attack commemoration

• Reveals Police made several attempts to block commemoration events organised by the church and others 
• Asks why Govt. and Police are afraid of peaceful marches 
• Says they reject attempts by Police to portray exercise of people’s right to demand justice as an act of terrorism

Former National Director of SIGNIS, Father Cyril Gamini Fernando has questioned the Government and the Police over their attempts to block peaceful marches and events organised to demand justice for the victims of the Easter Sunday attacks. 

“Why is the Government and the Police afraid of such marches? Will delivering justice affect any person negatively? ” the Catholic priest asked. Speaking at a press conference yesterday Fernando noted that Negombo Superintendent of Police Eric Perera, Negombo HQI and a group of other officers had presented themselves before the Negombo Magistrates Court yesterday and requested an order to prevent the march of prayer organised by the Catholic Church along with other commemoration events organised in Katuwapitiya on 20 and 21 April. The priest said similar attempts had been made by the Wattala Police as well. 

“The true aim of the Police in making such a request is abundantly clear to all of us,” he said. 

 “This is not an attempt to topple the Government or cause violence or harm another person. This is just another step of the people’s attempts to demand justice for the past four years for the victims of the Easter Sunday attack and to know the truth behind these incidents. This is not a terrorist act. Is asking for truth and justice terrorism?,” Fernando asked. 

“We reject the attempt by the Police to portray the exercise of the people’s right to demand justice as an act of terrorism,” he added. 

Fernando said the people have been forced to take to the streets as justice has not been delivered in the past four years. The priest said only criminals would be perturbed by these events. “Just and fair rulers as well as officials would not worry about this,” he said.  Fernando said the President and the Government should either reveal why justice cannot be delivered for the attack and if delivering justice would affect any particular person. 

The Police had also attempted to obtain a court order against the march organised by the National People’s Power (NPP) led by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna to commemorate the devastating Easter Sunday attack and demand justice for the victims. The event titled ‘The march and rally for Justice’ is scheduled to commence today at 4.00 p.m. from the Negombo Bus Stand and head to the Town Hall for the rally. The Police informed the courts that it had received information that the NPP has organised a protest march and had not obtained the necessary permission. However, rejecting the request, Negombo additional magistrate Indika de Silva said the Police had not submitted adequate information to issue such an order.