Cardinal’s call for justice echoes on Easter attacks’ sixth anniversary

Tuesday, 22 April 2025 04:10 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith demands clean-up of complicit powers and accountability
Criticises 2019 Presidential Commission for failing to expose broader network behind Easter terror attacks
Expresses disappointment over delayed or obstructed justice; urges President AKD to act
Highlights several key issues allegedly ignored in investigation
Accuses past authorities of systemic sabotage after 2019 election
Calls for an Independent Prosecutor’s Office to carry out credible investigation
Stresses justice is essential for national healing and democratic integrity

At a solemn memorial held at St. Anthony’s Shrine yesterday in Kochchikade to mark the sixth anniversary of the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks, Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith delivered a powerful message, calling on President Anura Kumara Disanayake to cleanse the country of individuals and institutions that encouraged or protected those responsible for politically motivated acts of terrorism.

Addressing a packed congregation of survivors, families of victims, and clergy, Cardinal Ranjith strongly criticised the failures of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry, appointed by former President Maithripala Sirisena, to investigate the attacks, which killed over 270 people and injured hundreds more.

Although the Commission did highlight certain shortcomings in intelligence and political accountability, he said it fell short of exposing the broader network behind the attacks.

“I urged you to remain patient and not seek revenge because I believed that justice would prevail. But today, six years later, I must express my deep disappointment that justice has been delayed—perhaps even obstructed. There were forces behind the attackers, and those forces are yet to be uncovered,” the Cardinal said.

He reiterated that the Commission’s report identified only two main issues: extremist preacher Zahran Hashim’s radicalisation and the failure of political leaders and intelligence officials to act on Indian intelligence warnings.

However, he accused the authorities of failing to follow through with meaningful action.

The Cardinal outlined several key areas, which he claimed were intentionally ignored or overlooked during the investigation:

The fate of Sarah Jasmin, wife of the Katuwapitiya suicide bomber
The identity and role of an individual referred to as “Sonic Sonic,” and his alleged ties to Matale “Podi Zahran” and the Islamic State
An incident involving a senior Police officer who reportedly prevented the inspection of a suspicious truck near Gelanigama
Allegations of another senior Police officer concealing evidence in the Vavunathivu double murder of two Police constables
Possible links between the seventh suicide bomber and State intelligence services

“The Commission lacked the mandate and time to explore these critical threads. But there is enough evidence to suspect systemic sabotage—especially after the 2019 Presidential Election. The investigations were not allowed to reach their logical conclusion,” he said.

In a direct appeal to President Disanayake, Cardinal Ranjith called for the creation of an Independent Prosecutor’s Office, one that can independently oversee the Easter Sunday attack investigations and ensure that those who aided and abetted the attackers, regardless of rank or position, are brought to justice.

The memorial marked not only a day of remembrance, but also a renewed call for accountability, echoing the growing sentiment among victims’ families and civil society that political will remains the biggest barrier to justice.

“The people have waited long enough. If Sri Lanka is to move forward as a truly democratic and just society, then the truth must come out—however painful, and however high it reaches,” he stressed.

– Pix by Ruwan Walpola and Gayan Amarasekara

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