Monday Oct 07, 2024
Monday Oct 07, 2024
Monday, 7 October 2024 04:40 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday announced that investigations into the Easter Sunday attacks will be expedited, and steps will be taken to ensure that such a tragedy never occurs again in the country. He assured that justice will be delivered to the victims.
The President made these remarks during a discussion held at St. Sebastian’s Church in Katuwapitiya, Negombo, with the families of those killed and injured in the Easter Sunday attack. Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith accompanied the President.
Dissanayake visited the church during the morning and laid floral tributes at the memorial established in honour of the victims. To mark the occasion, a commemorative gift was also presented to the President.
During the discussion, the President met with the families of the victims, who shared their concerns and difficulties with him directly. He highlighted that the Easter Sunday attack which happened on 21 April 2019 was the most tragic disaster in the recent past and that it will not be allowed to be buried with time.
President Dissanayake expressed his belief that one of the key factors influencing the people’s decision at the last Presidential election was their hope for justice concerning the Easter Sunday attacks.
He emphasised that the aspirations of the citizens align with his own, stating that his goal is to deliver the justice and fairness the people seek in relation to the Easter Sunday attack. He assured that efforts have already begun to achieve this.
The President also stressed the importance of conducting the investigation without any preconceived conclusions or biases. He instructed the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security to ensure a transparent and impartial investigation, guided by openness and objectivity.
President Dissanayake acknowledged that there is a widespread belief in society that the Easter Sunday attacks may have been carried out to gain political mileage. He stated that if hundreds of innocent lives were sacrificed for political purposes, it would be a profound tragedy. He emphasised that if politics in the country has reached such an extreme, the first priority must be to eliminate this dangerous situation.
He also highlighted growing suspicions that the Government apparatus at the time may have been involved in the attacks. If such allegations are true, he warned, the country would remain in a dangerously unstable and insecure state. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to uncover the truth behind these events, he emphasised.
Additionally, President Dissanayake stressed that justice must be delivered to the victims of the tragedy, which claimed the lives of nearly 274 people and left many others injured, to honour the love and devotion of their families.
He also expressed his deep appreciation for the role played by the priests who helped prevent an even greater social catastrophe in the aftermath of the attacks. The President extended his gratitude to them once again for their efforts.
President Dissanayake further stated that if the bonds, trust, and harmony within society are weakened, and people begin to view others with anger and suspicion, it would pose a serious threat to the well-being of the community. In light of this, he emphasised the need for a fair and transparent investigation into the Easter Sunday attacks.
He also noted that for the past five years, those who gathered on the streets on 21 April were driven by a hope for justice, which sustained them year after year.
His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, speaking at the event, shared that despite appealing to the Human Rights Commission in Geneva for justice for the Easter Sunday victims, no resolution has been achieved. He also pointed out that while the Government has been working to provide necessary support to the victims, the public continues to question the true cause of the attack.
His Eminence Cardinal Ranjith expressed his belief in President Dissanayake, acknowledging the trust the people of Sri Lanka have in him and appreciating his integrity. He added that he believes the President will deliver on the promise of justice. He further expressed his belief that the President will take action to hold those responsible for the Easter Sunday attack accountable and ensure justice is served.
Rev. Fr. Manjula Niroshan, the mission in charge of Katuwapitiya Church, along with a large number of Easter attack victims and devotees, attended the event.
