Respected Archbishop of Sri Lanka Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith owes an explanation to the Muslims of Sri Lanka on his statement as reported by a national newspaper on 4 December 2020

Muslims of Sri Lanka accord a great respect and honour to the Archbishop of Sri Lanka Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith for his courageous stance on the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks segregating the terrorists from the vast decent majority of the Muslim community.

A bold statement that prevented immediate emotional reactions against the innocent Muslim community that stood firmly with the people of Sri Lanka in condemning the attacks consoling the victimised people and extending fullest support and cooperation to the law enforcement authorities.

Being the representative of the Supreme Pontiff of Catholics worldwide Pope Francis, the headlined news item on a national newspaper came as a shock to the entire Muslim community of Sri Lanka, making an unfounded allegation against them giving wrong impression that the Islamic Sharia Law is being interpreted by the Muslims to force it to be the law of the country and by way of intimidation and influencing without specifying the elements doing so, or instances to which he was referring to.

The statement as reported will serve no purpose other than mobilising the racist elements with vested interests to destabilise the peace and security of our beloved nation at a time the entire nation striving to eradicate the pandemic COVID-19.

The statement being politically motivated made after a meeting with a politician making an informal request to interfere in another issue that is being handled by the law enforcement authorities contradictory to the mission of the Apostolic Mission in this wounded nation particularly and world-wide.

We anticipate a clarification by the office of the Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith on the reported news item and seek the kind intervention of the Apostolic Nunciature in Sri Lanka.

The Muslim community of Sri Lanka reiterates to ensure the Bishop’s House and the law enforcement authorities of Sri Lanka the fullest cooperation and commitment towards all the efforts taken by the State and the law enforcement authorities of Sri Lanka to bring the evil elements of terror behind the Easter Sunday attacks to the book.

Muslims of Sri Lanka consider the Easter Sunday bombings by elements disowned by them a worst ever terror attack launched against the Muslim community itself that lived in peace in this county for centuries.

May Almighty God bless this nation people of all faiths and people of the book with peace, stability and prosperity.

Masihudeen Inamullah

A patriotic citizen of Sri Lanka

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