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’’There was always someone above Zahran’’– Easter Sunday attack victims
Colombo, April 7 (Daily Mirror) - Amid a fresh wave of claims and counterclaims over the alleged mastermind behind the Easter Sunday terror attacks, family members of the victims are of the opinion that there was always someone above Zaharan Hashim before the attacks were launched.
This follows the recent statement made by Pivithuru Hela Urumaya Leader, Udaya Gammanpila, who claimed that, according to his findings, the mastermind behind the Easter Sunday terror attacks on 21 April 2019 is the Islamist militant and founder of the National Thowheeth Jama’ath, Zahran Hashim.
Speaking to Daily Mirror, Easter Attack Victims' Collective Head Nishantha Mohandiram said survivors and families of those killed in the bombings claim that the extremist leader, Zahran Hashim, did not act alone.
They argue that higher-ranking figures planned and directed the attacks, and they are calling for a complete and transparent investigation.
Many victims’ families expressed frustration over the false statements being made by various parties. “We still do not know who gave the orders,” one family member said, “but we will not stop demanding answers,” he said.
Meanwhile, Spokesman for the Archdiocese of Colombo, Rev. Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando, told Daily Mirror that attempts are underway to derail the course of justice and distract ongoing investigations.
He cautioned authorities against being “carried away, affected, or distracted” by such assertions.
“The real truth will only be uncovered through a proper investigation and judicial process. Let the courts decide,” he stressed.
Fr. Fernando made it clear that the Church is not swayed by external narratives or speculation surrounding the high-profile probe.
“We do not concern ourselves with what individuals are saying about the Easter Sunday investigations,” he said, while reiterating confidence in the government and the ongoing Criminal Investigation Department (CID) inquiries.
However, he noted troubling signs that certain elements may be attempting to interfere with the process.
“It is apparent that there are moves to distract these investigations. Some groups also seem to be alarmed by the direction in which the investigations are progressing,” he observed.
The Church has long maintained that there was a broader conspiracy behind the coordinated bombings that shook the nation in 2019.
“No one should draw conclusions about who is or who is not the mastermind of the Easter Sunday carnage,” he said. “If anyone possesses crucial or sensitive information about how it happened or who was involved, the responsible course of action is to provide that information to the relevant law enforcement authorities to support the investigations,” he added.
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