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Last Updated : 2024-05-05 08:18:00
25 April 2024 02:00 pm - 35 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
In a scathing rebuttal of allegations by Malcom Cardinal Ranjith regarding the Easter Sunday attacks, former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said Cardinal Ranjith either glosses over the responsibility of, or expressly absolves the two parties actually involved in the terrorist strikes.
Cardinal Ranjith made the following allegations against former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at a recent media conference:
• That the day after the report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry on the Easter Sunday attacks was handed over to me, I had spoken to the Cardinal over the phone and said that I had difficulties in implementing the recommendations in that report as it would entail the arrest of individuals and even the banning of organisations that were supportive of me.
• That I had delayed giving the Cardinal a copy of the first volume of the Presidential Commission report and that I had not given him the remaining volumes.
• That I had appointed a six-member cabinet sub-committee to selectively implement only a few of the recommendations made by the various Committees and Commissions appointed to inquire into the Easter Sunday attacks.
• That I had transferred the CID officers investigating the Easter Sunday attacks and even imprisoned one such senior officer in order to sabotage the investigation.
In response, Mr. Rajapaksa said, “With regard to the first allegation, I categorically state that I did NOT speak to the Cardinal over the phone after the Presidential Commission report was submitted to me and tell him that the recommendations of the Presidential Commission could not be implemented because that would entail the arrest of people and even the banning of organisations allied with me. It is a well-known fact that the Muslim community in general did not vote for me or support my candidacy at the Presidential election, so I cannot possibly have had any allies in any organisation that would need to be banned over complicity in the Easter Sunday attacks.
As for the second allegation, the report of the Presidential Commission was handed over to me on 1 February 2021. Having studied it myself and referred it to the Attorney General, it was handed over to the Speaker of Parliament on 23 February 2021 and by 1 March 2021 copies had been given to the Venerable Mahanayaka Theras, the Cardinal and the Catholic Bishops. There was no delay in handing over the report to the Cardinal.
After the Presidential Commission of Inquiry submitted its report, I appointed a six-member Cabinet Sub-committee to prioritize and apportion to the relevant government departments and agencies the task of implementing the recommendations in the reports of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry and the Select Committee of Parliament on the Easter Sunday attacks. Those familiar with public administration will know that the departments and agencies of the government cannot act without such instructions from the Cabinet.
In November 2019 the then Director of the CID was transferred by the Police Commission on the recommendation of the then IGP. That was by the Police Commission appointed under the 19th Amendment by the previous government. A few weeks later this officer was interdicted by the Police Commission over an investigation into the leaked recordings of his telephone conversations with the then Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake regarding the influencing of judges in an ongoing High Court case. Several months later, he was remanded by the Courts over an investigation into the alleged fabrication of evidence in a criminal case concerning a former police DIG. Hence, I reject the allegation that I transferred the CID Director and even placed him in remand custody in order to sabotage the Easter Sunday investigation.
This particular CID Director had been appointed to that office in 2017 and he continued to hold that position for over seven months after the Easter Sunday attacks. In the months prior to the Easter Sunday attacks, it was the CID that investigated the Vavunativu murders, the vandalizing of Buddha statues in Mawanella and the discovery of explosives in Wanathavilluwa involving the very same individuals and groups that perpetrated the Easter Sunday attacks. The Presidential Commission has observed that if the law enforcement authorities had been more vigilant, Zaharan and his group could have been apprehended before the Easter Sunday attacks took place. The failure to prevent the attack was a failure of the CID under that Director.
In his speech mentioned above, the Cardinal accused me of not having brought the perpetrators of the Easter Sunday bombings to justice. However, criminals have to be brought to justice not by politicians but by the police, the Attorney General’s Department and the Courts system working together. That process is now ongoing and according to the media, 93 persons are now facing legal proceedings in court for offences relating to those suicide bombings.
The Easter Sunday attacks were perpetrated by a group of Islamic extremists. The highest investigative arm of the then government - the CID - had for several months prior to the attacks, been investigating the activities of the very same individuals and groups that carried out the suicide bombings but failed to apprehend the terrorists before they struck. The public should take good note of the fact that His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith either glosses over the responsibility of, or expressly absolves the two parties mentioned above, while continuing to relentlessly attack and criticize me over the Easter Sunday suicide bombings,”
Nimal Thursday, 25 April 2024 02:21 PM
What HIs Eminence the Cardinal stated was the absolute truth. The twenty minute speech clearly illustrated the situation, as it is at this moment. No amount of explanations can absolve these scoundrels from the fact they are deliberately protecting the perpetrators of these dastardly attacks, targeting innocent people and children.
Crude man Thursday, 25 April 2024 07:05 PM
Judging by his past deeds no one can say that this Cardinal is a saint too.
Vernon Thursday, 25 April 2024 11:01 PM
The cardinal truth is you selective and partial. You are completely incompetent, dishonest and corrupt. You screwed the country and the 22 million inhabitants including the 6.9 million idiots.
John Fernando Thursday, 25 April 2024 02:23 PM
God has already given the supreme punishment chasing him away from the Presidency. Pohottuwa is irradiacated worst than any other. Gota and the other culprits have less than 174 days as the new government will take the necessary steps to arrange the judgement for what they has done.
Fog Thursday, 25 April 2024 06:46 PM
If you are so sure about it, god must have already meted the punishment for the other culprits too.
Citizen Silva Thursday, 25 April 2024 02:49 PM
The best thing is for Gota, Mahinda, Sirisena
Severe Consequences For Lying Friday, 26 April 2024 03:13 AM
“Don’t” lie! It’s matter of time all the outstanding murder and corruption cases will need to be investigated properly and culprits brought to justice. Start moving out of SL now, if not your remaining years will be visiting the courts to proof your innocence similarly with Trump. Eventually will be proven and the consequences will be severe.
Abd Thursday, 25 April 2024 03:22 PM
If GR rejects the accusation that, he phoned Eminence cardinal and said he cannot proceed with presidential commission report due to his subordinates involved, so he is not not going to take any action. We have doubts’ is this could be happened,’but any way nothing took place according to the report directive
Raju Bhai Thursday, 25 April 2024 03:31 PM
Boss!!! Nobody can play with the Almighty God. Punishment is inevitable for those who involved regardless of their status.
Cat Thursday, 25 April 2024 06:32 PM
So, best thing is to leave everything in the hands of God.
Cat Thursday, 25 April 2024 06:32 PM
So, best thing is to leave everything in the hands of God.
Cat Thursday, 25 April 2024 06:32 PM
So, best thing is to leave everything in the hands of God.
Daya Jay Thursday, 25 April 2024 03:42 PM
The truth, unfailingly, emerges in due time. No veil can shroud it indefinitely; it unfurls in its entirety, unblemished and absolute. And when that moment arrives, justice wields its sword not just against the perpetrators of vile deeds but also against those who cloak themselves in falsehood, betraying and misleading the trust of the people.
Pathmaranjan Perera Thursday, 25 April 2024 03:50 PM
Cardinal says truth.
BuffaloaCitizen Thursday, 25 April 2024 04:16 PM
This is like two ponnaya's now fighting after they were in love with each other not so long ago. One is saying I never took to the mouth and other is saying I never allowed him inside my rear.
blessme Thursday, 25 April 2024 04:25 PM
Gotha we know very well how your men tried to link Shani Abeysekara in the case of Vas Gunawardana who is in remand. Eminent judge who decided the case make a judgement that the case was fabricated and Shani Abey sekera was released from all the charges. Recently Shani Abeysekara filed case asking damages from those have involved in the fabricated court case.
Just fill my gas boy Thursday, 25 April 2024 04:47 PM
Do you seriously think you have credibility... we trust the cardinal hands down!
Nm Thursday, 25 April 2024 06:42 PM
Some of 6.9 voters who voted for Gota did so on your cardinals recommendations.
I COME TO YOU THROUGH YOUR SON JESUS CHRIST Thursday, 25 April 2024 04:56 PM
LORD, LISTEN TO THE PRAYERS OF OUR PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN DUPED FOR THE PAST DECADES, NO MATTER WHAT THEIR FAITH IS, THEY ARE ALL YOUR CHILDREN. GOD YOU ARE OUR CREATOR, OUR HEAVENLY FATHER AND OUR LIVING GOD. A GOD WHO HAS ALSO PERFORMED MANY MIRACLES THROUGH YOUR EARTHLY DISCIPLES. WE NEED YOUR INTERVENTION TO RESCUE THE MAJORITY OF OUR PEOPLE SUFFERING LIKE NEVER BEFORE, WITH NO VOICE AND NO JUSTICE. MOVE IN THE MINDS OF OUR PEOPLE SO THEY VOTE ACCORDINGLY AND YOUR POWERS WILL HELP THE NEW GOVERNMENT WIPE OUT CORRUPTION AND ALL THOSE WHO HAD A HAND IN BRINGING THE COUNTRY DOWN, IN ORDER THAT THEY COULD TAKE THE COUNTRY FORWARD AND EVERY CITIZEN IS TREATED EQUALLY AND HAS A VOICE. AMEN
Pin Gona 2 Thursday, 25 April 2024 05:36 PM
One has to see this in conjunction with the revelations of channel 4
ACA Thursday, 25 April 2024 05:45 PM
No one believe you. You, your family and your extended family has pay the country for the damages done very soon.
Taking so many years is a cover up Thursday, 25 April 2024 06:09 PM
It is the 2500 of failed cultural attitudes and beliefs that is causing the delays. The sign of the failed democracy is the length of time it has taken for this nothing to have happened. If the country was run by the British they would make the police do much better, and the courts would be processing major crimes like this more effectively as well.
saman Thursday, 25 April 2024 09:12 PM
Hello Gota, no one believes you. That's why you and Naki Maina were chased out.
Rod Thursday, 25 April 2024 09:37 PM
Politicians religious representatives shouldn't get involved in first place proper procedures with law and order along with judicial system with experience local and foriegn partners should take the total responsibility to resolve this in professional manner for justice for those who lost lives and families that are going trough terrible lost and the unbearable pain in daily life....god bless for the victims and families
Helanka Thursday, 25 April 2024 10:22 PM
DO YOU THINK THE PUBLIC IS GOING TO BELIEVE A POLITICIAN AND ESPECIALLY A FELLOW LIKE YOU? YOUR FIRST COUNTER POINT ALSO IS A CLEAR LIE... DREAM ON.....
Erandani Dias Thursday, 25 April 2024 11:48 PM
Come on, Gota, you know exactly how it all happened. The muslims were not complicit in the matter, your people were, and they used the muslims with bait of big money. You can stand on your head and say no, but that's the truth. Also, how come you were silent all this time and come out swinging now? You think with time passing the masses will believe you and your hoard again? Dream on......
Ranil Friday, 26 April 2024 02:32 AM
Damn good lesson for these preachers too for bum sucking politicians before this tragedy. This's is what happens when murders are allowed to govern including the Tsunami Horra.
Neil Friday, 26 April 2024 02:38 AM
His Eminence Cardinal is telling the truth. 22million people have unanswered questions which haven't been investigated. It is very clear that Army Intelligence had a hand in this attack with the help of CID. Who is the mastermind behind this?
Mahila Friday, 26 April 2024 04:04 AM
The People within the same "CURRY POT" unmistakably, “IN-FIGHTING” to avoid ACCOUNTABILITY, for whatever reason each of them committed whatever crime they did to fulfilment of misdirection of 'Democratic Sovereign Rights of Sri Lankans and resultant Obfuscation of their DEED!!??? This has been the phenomenon from Pre-Independence time though 'SUBTLY', manifested well in every government, POST Independence from time-to-time (example Language, Education etc.,) and increasingly evident POST 10/2004 Presidential election!!!??? Accountability has been dumped by the wayside and honourably replaced with “REASONS AND EXPLANATIONS – “Bottom-Line”, EVENTS OCCURRED, No Mistakes or Misadventures – CULPABILITY none!!!??? Such is attributable, adorable REVERENCE; People may resort to FAULT, The LORD/GOD – The ‘Purveyor’ of all to living being in this UNIVERSE – EVER SO MERCIFUL!!?? May, all mighty, Bless Sri Lankans – keep AWAY from “INSIDIOUS” villains, tread ‘RIGHT PATH’!!!???
Kevin Friday, 26 April 2024 04:07 AM
Gota should enjoy his taxpayer funded lucrative retirement without trying to cover up his disasters.
Stanley Friday, 26 April 2024 05:03 AM
Who would you believe - a Cardinal or an uneducated thug?
Bindu Huddhist Friday, 26 April 2024 06:00 AM
Great territory and flower offerers behind the scene always mix power with all faiths to continue deception. Unhappy holy hat have no wisdom or true spirit. Black politics continues..
navratne willamune Friday, 26 April 2024 08:09 AM
real perpetrators must be laughing, we are sqabbling about procedual issues,not who realy did it, ie the international conections.this was mainly an revenge action for what happened few months before ie massacre of muslim prayer goers in NZ.muslim extramist groups in SL exploited the weak security funded by the saudi funded organisations
Ravana Friday, 26 April 2024 08:22 AM
We didn't believe them back then Nobody will believe us now This has to stop, we need to lock up the wrong doers away for generations
Kapila Friday, 26 April 2024 09:34 AM
Gota can reject (what else can he do) the cardinals opinions, but the people of SL including the 6.9 have already rejected Gota and the Rajapakses
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