Sajith calls for International probe on Easter Sunday attack

Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa

• Asks Govt. to permit International investigations without causing additional offence to Catholic community
• Says it is embarrassing that a foreign channel has to push for a probe to reveal masterminds 
• Questions if current rulers are devoid of compassion for the victims 

In the wake of the UK’s Channel 4 documentary uncovering details about the Easter Sunday attack of 2019, Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa, during a Parliamentary session yesterday, called for an International inquiry into the incident.

The Opposition leader urged the Government to permit such an investigation without causing any additional offence to the Archbishop of Colombo and the Catholic community in Sri Lanka.

Premadasa said while he contested as a candidate in the Presidential election in 2019, the Archbishop of Colombo called on the people to vote in favour of Gotabaya Rajapaksa instead at the time. 

“I comprehend that this decision stemmed from the profound anguish experienced by the Cardinal and the Catholic community during that period. It was a time marked by grave apprehensions regarding national security. The call to support him was made with the expectation that he would ensure the nation’s safety,” he said. 

He expressed his dismay that a foreign channel through an International investigation has had to force the Sri Lankan Government to uncover the masterminds behind the attack, considering it a matter of great embarrassment. “Do we require guidance from foreign sources to accomplish this? Are our leaders devoid of compassion?,” he asked.