Lakshman Kiriella seeks a meeting of SJB MPs with the Bishops

Chief Opposition Whip writes to President of the Sri Lanka Catholic Bishops’ Conference

27 April 2021 01:34 am - 14 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella in a letter addressed to President of the Sri Lanka Catholic Bishops' Conference Bishop Winston Fernando has sought a meeting of SJB (Samagi Jana Balawegaya) MPs with the Bishops to present to them some information regarding the Easter Sunday attacks.

“We ask, reverends, that a few key opposition political leaders are allowed the opportunity to present facts related to Easter Sunday attacks and subsequent responses of the present government to the Catholic Bishops' Conference and humbly request a meeting at a time and place best suited for it,” Mr. Kiriella said in his letter.

Mr. Kiriellla said the following in his letter addressed to Bishop Fernando.

"It is our firm belief that the aspirations of the Catholic clergy and the leadership is also to have the chief perpetrators of the attack revealed and therefore we trust that the reverends will urgently intercede and speak on behalf of the opposition political leaders and activists who can continuously voice their concerns both within and outside Parliament.

The opposition leadership call is to resolve the issue pertaining to the Easter attack and clear up the mystery. This is on behalf of all citizens of this country who have a right to know the truth. However, the response of the government is to punish those in the opposition who have contributed to the struggle to extract the truth.

While the Commission appointed for the purpose questioned why such an attack took place despite the then President, Prime Minister, IGP and senior police officers being warned on several occasions, the President, Prime Minister, as well as some present ministers admitted that before 2015, during the time of the war, Zahran Hasheem and the Thowheed Jamath had close relationships with the intelligence services and were looked after and even paid salaries. What is clear therefore is that if they have supported such a group during their time, then those individuals also bear responsibility for not preventing the terror attack.

The Catholic community have the inalienable right to have this mystery solved and facts laid bare for their consideration. The fact that those who shirked their responsibility to ensure that this attack never happened should be justly punished, is equally obvious. Further identifying the manipulators and brains behind the attack is the most critical need of the hour. The Catholics have the right to know who strategised, planned and executed the attack.

The evidence of the testimony of the witnesses of the attack have consumed more than thirty-seven thousand pages. The evidence of 457 witnesses is compiled in those pages. Even though the report of the Presidential Commission spread across eight volumes, only the first has been tabled in Parliament. It is shown that the evidence of the intelligence officers should not be revealed to the public. The evidence provided by the wife of the terrorist who blew himself up at Tropical Inn Dehiwala has proved to be problematic while Sarah the wife of the terrorist Mohammad Hasthun has fled to India. It is critical that her evidence is recorded in this matter." (Yohan Perera)

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Comments - 14

Demuni Uduwara Tuesday, 27 April 2021 03:31 AM

On the hour our prime duty is to find the culprit/s and your efforts are appreciated.

Sandy Tuesday, 27 April 2021 05:26 AM

A bunch of crooked politicians with cheap tactics

Jude Tuesday, 27 April 2021 06:15 AM

Hey kiriella, some of these culprits were your colleagues at some point or The other!! SJB trying to score some Brownie Points now!! You guys were in power at the time of carnage,!! Now don't look for scapegoats!! The whole 225 responsible for the Easter Sunday attacks! Period!!

Jude Tuesday, 27 April 2021 06:19 AM

Kiri !! Nothing gonna change!! Culprits still roaming freely !! There's blood in your hands too 'Coz you guys were in power at that time!! Don't BS now !!

Anura Nanayakkara Tuesday, 27 April 2021 07:52 AM

SJB is trying to poison Hon. Cardinal's mind and other Catholics ' mind set with low political vicious propaganda. Be careful from all politically motivated agendas.

Shahan Ranasinghe Tuesday, 27 April 2021 08:01 AM

Not only the Opposition but the ruling party leaders President and PM should join to gather and sit and talk with all the Bishops with regard to the Easter Sunday Attacks and its action.

G. Gamage Tuesday, 27 April 2021 08:02 AM

Hay Laxman Kiriella, insist on the action against Mythiripala Sirisena, this is important.

Richard Perera Tuesday, 27 April 2021 08:05 AM

Join with the Govt. and work towards the findings on Easter Sunday Attacks on innocents. Action on Rishad Badurdeen, his brother and Appa Sirisena are most important issues.

Buwaneke Siriwardene Tuesday, 27 April 2021 08:18 AM

It would be good to probe who helped LTTE during their 30 year terror . Their massacres at a Mosque in North, Sri Maha Bodhi , Dalada Maligawa, and also Central Bank. People need to remember these days and also it should be probed who helped them.

Sri Wickrema Tuesday, 27 April 2021 08:40 AM

His Eminence Cardinal just ignored?

Terrence Tuesday, 27 April 2021 08:42 AM

His Eminence Cardinal's approach has always be to give an equal chance to everyone on a one to one basis and he is impartial to come to a conclusion weighing all parties information as some are not coming forward for fear of repercussions when the truth is revealed

Pramod F Tuesday, 27 April 2021 08:52 AM

Why not ask Harin how he got the information in advance and why no action was taken to prevent the attack? Have you forgotten who was in power those days Mr Kiriella?

Nish Tuesday, 27 April 2021 09:02 AM

You are nothing but a useless corrupt politician trying to score points. You were in power during this carnage and what did you do? Kneeling down to ethnic extremist parties to be in power. Did you do a single thing against muslim extremists? No. Just don't waste Bishops' times.

Karman Kanna Tuesday, 27 April 2021 11:28 AM

Yes, you may do so - but remember, you and your party should insist on keeping My3-pala-Sirisena to be kept behind bars. Should not allow him to run away and hide.

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Lakshman Kiriella seeks a meeting of SJB MPs with the Bishops

Chief Opposition Whip writes to President of the Sri Lanka Catholic Bishops’ Conference

Comments - 14

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