President Guarantees Justice for Victims of Easter Sunday Attacks
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake revealed that there will be an acceleration in the investigations of the Easter Sunday attacks, with measures being implemented to prevent such a tragedy from occurring again in the country. He provided assurance that justice will be served to the victims.
These statements were made by the President during a meeting held on 06 at St. Sebastian’s Church in Katuwapitiya, Negambo, where he engaged with the families of those who lost their lives or were injured in the Easter Sunday attack.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake paid a visit to the church in the morning and placed floral tributes at the memorial erected in memory of the victims. He was also presented with a commemorative gift in honor of the occasion.
Throughout the meeting, the President interacted with the families of the victims who directly shared their concerns and challenges with him. He acknowledged that the Easter Sunday Attack on 21st April 2019 was the most tragic incident in recent history and pledged that it will not be forgotten.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressed his belief that the people’s desire for justice regarding the Easter Sunday attacks was a significant factor in the last presidential election.
He emphasized that his goal is to deliver the justice and fairness that the people are seeking in connection to the Easter Sunday attack. He assured that steps have already been taken to work towards this goal.
The President also emphasized the importance of carrying out the investigation without any preconceived notions or biases. He instructed the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security to ensure a transparent and impartial investigation, guided by honesty and objectivity.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake acknowledged the widespread belief that the Easter Sunday attacks might have been politically motivated. He warned that if innocent lives were sacrificed for political gain, it would be a tragic situation. He stressed the need to address this dangerous scenario as a top priority.
Additionally, the President highlighted the growing suspicions of government involvement in the attacks at the time. He cautioned that if these allegations were true, the country would remain in a precarious and insecure state. Therefore, he underscored the crucial importance of uncovering the truth behind the events.
Furthermore, President Dissanayake stressed the importance of delivering justice to the victims of the tragedy, which resulted in the loss of nearly 274 lives and left many others wounded, to honor the memory and devotion of their families.
He expressed his deep gratitude for the efforts of the priests in preventing further social catastrophe following the attacks. The President once again thanked them for their contributions.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake further expressed his concern that weakening societal bonds, trust, and harmony could lead to increased anger and suspicion among people, posing a serious threat to community well-being. Hence, he emphasized the necessity of a fair and transparent investigation into the Easter Sunday attacks.
The President also noted that for the past five years, those who gathered on April 21st were driven by a yearning for justice, which has sustained them over time.
His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, Archbishop of Colombo, spoke at the event, highlighting the lack of progress in obtaining justice for the victims of the Easter Sunday attacks, despite appeals to the Human Rights Commission in Geneva. He emphasized the importance of uncovering the true cause of the attack, as doubts persist among the public.
His Eminence Cardinal Ranjith expressed his faith in President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, recognizing the trust the people of Sri Lanka have in him and praising his integrity. He expressed confidence that the President will fulfill the promise of delivering justice and holding those responsible for the Easter Sunday attack accountable.
Rev. Fr. Manjula Niroshan, the mission in charge of Katuwapitiya Church, along with numerous Easter attack victims and devotees, attended the event.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced that investigations into the Easter Sunday attacks will be expedited and steps taken to prevent such a tragedy from happening again. He assured justice for the victims and met with their families at St. Sebastian’s Church in Katuwapitiya, Negambo. The President emphasized the need for a fair and transparent investigation, free from bias, and highlighted suspicions of political involvement in the attacks. He vowed to uncover the truth and deliver justice to the victims. His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith expressed trust in the President’s commitment to justice. Overall, there is a call for transparency and accountability in dealing with the aftermath of the Easter Sunday attacks.
