Take steps to prevent second extremist attack: Catholic Church

Government should carry out investigations on the impending extremist attack of which Ven. Galabodaatte Gnasara Thera revealed recently and arrest those who have planned it, the Catholic Church in Colombo said today.

Member of the church’s communications committee on the Easter Sunday Attacks, Rev. Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando told a press conference that the second extremist attacks which the Gnanasara Thera claimed imminent should be avoided.

“We would like to question on the investigations carried out by the relevant institutions and whether anyone was arrested or whether any weapons have been recovered,” Fr. Fernando said.

“Ven. Gnanasara revealed in a talk show telecast by a popular TV channel in Sri Lanka that he has had information on a second extremist attack which could take place at any time. The prelate said he was even aware of the extremist group which has planned this attack and where they are hiding the weapons. He said he had informed President Gotabaya Rajapaksa about it. We understand the President is due to leave shortly on a state visit. We fear that this attack could be launched when he is away from the island like last time when the Easter Sunday attack was carried out when Former President Maithripala Sirisena was out of country. Therefore we insist that investigations are carried out in order to prevent the attack,” Rev. Fr. Fernando added.

He said a second attack should not be allowed to take place. “We thank Ven.Gnanasara for the disclosure he had made,” he said.

Referring to a second remark made by Ven. Gnanasara that he had cautioned Archbishop Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith on the Easter Sunday attack prior to April 21, cartons 2019, Fr. Fernando said Ven. Gnanasara had actually informed the Catholic Archbishop that there was an expansion of extremist activities at that time. (Yohan Perera)

Pix by Kithsiri de Mel