Stop playing politics over people’s grief from Easter Sunday attack

The decision by former MP Udaya Gammanpila to release one of the reports that looked into the Easter Sunday terror attacks has, not surprisingly, ruffled a few feathers. Leading the charge is the Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith and his spokesman Father Cyril Gamini Fernando.

Given that Gammanpila is contesting the upcoming parliamentary election as a candidate from the Sarvajana Balaya party and his long history of racking up communal tensions, it is obvious the decision to release the report is timed to win over voters and increase his chances of winning a seat in the new parliament, which looks very slim at the moment.

But that aside, it is unwise to dismiss the released report offhand like the Cardinal and his spokesman have done followed by Cabinet spokesman Minister Vijith Herath.

The truth is bitter but there are many who question the Cardinal’s credibility vis a vis the Easter Day attacks investigation. While the Easter attacks came as a blessing to the Rajapaksas who milked it dry for political advantage, the Cardinal has also used the tragedy to shore up his image and boost support for himself. It was not long before the attacks that he was cosy with the Rajapaksas and gave them all his blessings. He defended many of their sins as well. His association with the Rajapaksas made him lose the support of many in the Catholic Church but since the Easter attacks, he’s exploited it to the hilt ably assisted by his spokesman.

The Catholic Church in Sri Lanka has historically kept out of politics and has been well regarded. Hence when the Catholic Church spoke out, it was taken with a lot of seriousness but the Cardinal’s constant media shows has led to the Church losing the high ground it once occupied.

The Cardinal is unsatisfied with all the investigations done so far into the attacks under three different administrations. He has taken it upon himself to decide what is acceptable and what is not and decide who should be heading the investigation, a job the Government of Anura Dissanayake seems happy to barter away to the Cardinal. He has been talking ad nauseum about a mastermind (maha molakaraya) who he says was behind the attacks. If he or anyone in his circle is privy to that, he should disclose the name to the investigating authorities and back it up with evidence now that the ones favoured by him are in office. (One of the first things the newly appointed acting IGP Priyantha Weerasooriya did was call on the Cardinal so he had every opportunity to whisper in his ear). 

The Cardinal first extended support to the SJB candidate Sajith Premadasa in the September Presidential election. Soon after he changed loyalties and took NPP candidate Dissanayake’s hand leaving Premadasa empty handed. The Cardinal helped swing a sizable number of Catholic votes for the incumbent President and the Government is keen to cling onto that with another election weeks away instead of answering to the questions raised by the investigation reports released so far.

The Cardinal has every right to seek justice for ‘his people’ but there are people of other communities, nationalities who lost their lives in the gruesome attacks. But this nonstop interference in the investigation is not helping anyone except him and the new Government who are eager to go along, at least until 14 November.

Politicians will politicise anything for their advantage but is it too much to ask from a senior member of the Catholic clergy to stop using the pain and grief of people for personal gain and glory.