Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, the Archbishop of Colombo, announced that the Catholic Church had to withdraw from the talks with the government regarding the upcoming investigations into the Easter attack due to a statement made by the President (Sri Lanka Latest News).
The Cardinal further revealed that they had uncovered the President’s attempt to use the Catholic Church for a cheap political scheme.
He made these remarks during the Deva Meha celebration, which marked the 75th anniversary and annual feast of the Devolapola Vadumulla Good Counseling Mother Church.
“We are always vigilant when discussing the Easter attack, as it is our responsibility,” the Cardinal stated. “274 people, including our brothers and sisters and foreigners in tourist hotels, were brutally murdered. It was the most dangerous terrorist attack since the thirty-year war in Sri Lanka. Therefore, as the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Sri Lanka, we have consistently requested a transparent investigation, free from political influence. We want an honest investigation visible to everyone. As elections approach, various groups have informed us of their policies and intentions regarding the Easter attack investigation, which we appreciated.”
“We were pleased to learn that the current government also wanted to discuss the matter. However, when we attempted to engage in these discussions, the President made a statement indicating that the invitation was not sincere. We found the statement misleading. The appointment of the Attorney General is not permanent; a new Attorney General can be appointed when the term ends. It is nonsensical to ask the bishops about extending the Attorney General’s term. The Board of Bishops is unaware of the reasons behind the extension. Such questions are intended to cause trouble for us. We see a hidden agenda in the President’s statement, which forced us to reject the negotiations. If someone tries to use the promise of justice to win votes by involving us, it is clear that their intentions are not honest.”
A large number of local Buddhist monks and Bodunu people attended the jubilee festival and service organized by the Devastana Kitunu Sangha under the guidance of Father Meesama Bara Tirone Ajith of Kamaragoda. Their significant contributions to the church’s celebration were noteworthy.
