Prosecute those named in PCoI report on Easter Sunday attacks

While highlighting that the efforts launched by Colombo’s Archbishop His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith will continue to ensure justice for the victims of Easter Sunday attacks, the Cardinal himself, Auxiliary Bishop of Colombo yesterday urged the government to prosecute without hesitation those politicians and officials named for such action by the Presidential Commission which probed the attacks.

A statement signed by the Cardinal and others said the government should take at least the first step to fulfil the demands of the people.

"Look out for those who are directly or indirectly connected to the Easter Sunday attacks, investigate those who have had connections with Zahran Hashim during the North East conflict, proscribe all Islamic organizations that promote extremism as recommended by the Presidential Commission report and to send out all Islamic preachers who have come into the country promoting extremism," the statement said.

"It makes us wonder as to whether there are external interferences that hamper the efficiency of investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks as the culprits of this crime have not been identified even after 2 years. As the Easter Sunday bombings were an attack on the entire Sri Lankan society, it is the responsibility of all citizens to pressurize those in power to mete out justice to the victims. The Archdiocese urge the Opposition to refrain from taking any action that might hamper the independent and free implementation of the judicial process of the case," the statement said. (Yohan Perera)