COLOMBO (UCAN): The Sri Lankan Church organised a 40-kilometre-long human chain on the fourth anniversary of the Easter Sunday [21 April 2019] bombings to demand justice for its victims. Thousands of people belonging to different faiths came together on April 21 to protest the government’s failure in response to the call given by Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith of Colombo.
A two-minute silence was observed at 8.45am in memory of the people who died in the attack. Many protesters were dressed in black and carried black flags, as well as posters and banners.
Ranjith addressed religious leaders, foreign diplomatic, survivors, and family members of the victims, at shrine of St. Anthony in Kochchikade, a suburb of Colombo.
He alleged that Saharan Hashim, leader of the National Thowheed Jamath, who led the Easter Sunday suicide attacks, had close ties with the government military intelligence.
“We regret that the government has failed to investigate the relationship between the military intelligence and Saharan’s terrorist group,” Cardinal Ranjith said.
He further demanded that the government should interrogate officials who were in charge of the intelligence unit at the time of the Easter Sunday bombings.
We regret that the government has failed to investigate the relationship between the military intelligence and Saharan’s terrorist group
Cardinal Ranjith
“We have a question about how the seventh bomber named Jameel killed himself despite the opportunity to save his life. Did he explode himself or someone else blasted him with a remote control?” the cardinal wondered, “We have a question in this regard.”
Cardinal Ranjith said the leadership of the present government cannot be trusted.
Media reports recently said the country’s interim government has decided to promote police officers who held senior positions at the time of the blasts.
“We regret the Attorney General’s Department, police and the government has hesitated even to do what the Presidential Commission has recommended,” he said.
Apostolic nuncio, Archbishop Brian Udaigwe, who attended the event, said that the truth behind the attacks continues to evade the Church.
“The commemoration ceremonies are definitely not to seek revenge but to seek justice for the victims and pray,” said the Nigerian archbishop.
Father Cyril Gamini, the spokesperson of the Archdiocese of Colombo, said that the Church would fight until they find justice.
“We will not forget the attack until justice is done and the culprits should be brought to justice,” Father Gamini said.
Earlier, a vigil march was held from St. Sebastian’s Church in Katuwapitiya to St.Anthony’s shrine in Kochchikade.
A heavy police and military presence was observed on the streets and around churches throughout the day.
Earlier, a court rejected a request by the Negombo police to stop the protest march and other protest activities, claiming they could be politically motivated.
