President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has announced that the investigation into the Easter Sunday attack will be expedited, with a focus on preventing such a tragedy from reoccurring and ensuring justice for the victims. He made these remarks during a meeting with the families of those affected by the attack at St. Sebastian’s Church in Katuwapitiya, Negombo, on the 6th of October.
During his visit, the President paid tribute to the victims by laying flowers at the memorial erected in their honor at St. Sebastian’s Church, where many lives were lost in the bombing. A commemorative souvenir was also presented to mark the occasion.
President Dissanayake then engaged in a discussion with the victims’ families, who were given the opportunity to voice their concerns directly. He emphasized that the attack, which occurred on April 21, 2019, remains the country’s most significant tragedy in recent times. Although years have passed, he stressed that the event would not be forgotten.
Reflecting on the public’s response to the Easter attack, the President noted that the desire for justice played a significant role in shaping the political decisions made in the last presidential election. He reiterated that his goal aligns with the people’s demand for justice and assured them that efforts have already begun to meet these expectations.
The President made it clear that the investigation must not be driven by preconceived conclusions, but rather, conducted with an open mind. He instructed the Secretary of Public Security to lead a transparent and impartial investigation.
President Dissanayake acknowledged the prevalent suspicion in society that the attack may have been politically motivated. He expressed deep concern over the possibility that innocent lives were sacrificed for political gain, calling it a profound tragedy. He also highlighted suspicions that elements within the government at the time may have been complicit, warning that such a scenario would place the country in a highly dangerous position.
Justice for the victims remains a top priority, the President affirmed, and he committed to serving the families who lost their loved ones. He also expressed gratitude to the clergy for their efforts in preventing further social unrest in the aftermath of the attack.
The President warned that if trust within society is eroded, and different communities view each other with anger and suspicion, it would pose a grave threat to the nation’s well-being. Thus, he emphasized the importance of a thorough and fair investigation into the Easter Sunday attack.
He further noted that for the past five years, on every April 21, people have taken to the streets seeking justice, and it is now time for those hopes to be realized.
Addressing the gathering, His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, the Archbishop of Colombo, expressed frustration over the lack of answers despite raising the issue with the Geneva Human Rights Commission. While governments have provided aid to the victims, he said, the public still questions the true cause of the attack. The Cardinal commended President Dissanayake’s honesty and expressed hope that the President would continue to uphold this integrity by ensuring those responsible for the attack are brought to justice.
Father Manjula Niroshan, the priest in charge of St. Sebastian’s Church, along with a large number of victims and church devotees, were present at the event.
