Gnanasara Thera calls for international probe into Easter Sunday attacks

Colombo, April 22 (Daily Mirror) - Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera, General Secretary of the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS), has called on all responsible parties, including Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, to cease what he described as “acting” in efforts to identify those involved in the Easter Sunday attacks and instead hand over the investigations to an independent international inquiry.

Addressing the media yesterday, the Thera alleged that teachings promoting extremism, similar to those associated with Zahran Hashim are still being propagated in the country, ranging from school textbooks to training camps.

He further claimed that individuals responsible for creating figures like Zahran remain within the current administration, asserting that the truth would be revealed to the public even if he were imprisoned.

“It has been seven years since the Easter Sunday attacks, and although numerous investigations have been carried out, no responsible party or individual has been conclusively identified. Therefore, it is better to hand over the investigations to an independent international inquiry instead of diverting them in other directions,” he said.

Gnanasara Thera also alleged that politicians and government officials who served in previous administrations should bear responsibility for the attacks. He added that the BBS had alerted authorities prior to the incident, while members of the traditional Muslim community had also lodged complaints regarding those believed to be behind the attacks.