Easter Sunday attack suspects still engage in politics: Cardinal

31 July 2022 02:16 pm - 26 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Those who set off bombs on Easter Sunday in 2019 are still engaged in politics and work as police officers to date, Archbishop of Colombo His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said today.

Delivering a sermon at the festive mass held to mark the annual feast of St. James Church, Mutuwal, Cardinal Ranjith said the truth behind the Easter Sunday attacks have been swept under the carpet as powerful people in the country were behind them.

“Those who set off bombs in three churches and a few hotels in 2019 are still engaged in politics and also work as police officers. Our cry for justice has been neglected because of this. However, we as Catholics will have to keep on praying that justice would be done,” the Cardinal said.

“Also no proper investigations have been carried out on the recovery of a hand grenade at All Saints' Church in Borella. It was the powerful people who were part of the previous government and those from the defence establishment had kept the hand grenade in that church. However innocent people including the caretakers were arrested. They were assaulted and have been forced to place their signatures on certain documents,” he added.

“Catholics in the Mutuwal area have been great witnesses of Catholicism in the past. They launched a struggle (aragalaya) during the catholic schools were taken over by the government in the 1960s. We can pay tribute to them today only if we emulate them and become faithful Catholics,” he also said.(Yohan Perera)

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Comments - 26

johan Sunday, 31 July 2022 02:28 PM

Because some politicians and police officers are behind these attacks truth will not come out,unless Aragalaya takes action against them

Big talk guys Sunday, 31 July 2022 05:46 PM

Simple is,Our govt. and the so called experts does not know how to catch them. It is a fact in every sector as our expert government servent does have the ability/knowledge to do any thing.

Sokrates Sunday, 31 July 2022 03:03 PM

If there is evidence and not just hearsay, then by all means give the damn names of the people suspected of being involved in the attacks. You, as a cardinal of the powerful Catholic Church, can name the names without putting yourself in danger. Otherwise keep quiet.

vithura Sunday, 31 July 2022 03:18 PM

He is still at his old game, if he knows the culprits why is he shy in naming them.

Nuwan Sunday, 31 July 2022 04:52 PM

Name the names. People need to know.

Cheers Sunday, 31 July 2022 05:19 PM

If you know them name them don't play politics

Jaya Sunday, 31 July 2022 05:19 PM

If you know the names, details please tell and submit your evidence to court. People should know the details.

Ranjan Monday, 01 August 2022 12:41 PM

What about the gangs and authorities who met at Araliyagaha who went to GFG and assaulted the peaceful protesters? The whole lot should be put behind bars.

Punchi Sunday, 31 July 2022 06:32 PM

The people who instigated and facilitated the pogroms against the Tamils are still in office and they and their families are being fed with Tamil Nadu free food

Almonz Sunday, 31 July 2022 06:55 PM

Enough of talking in riddles and metaphors, think it's high time to name the people and demand action against them

Dilshan Perera Sunday, 31 July 2022 07:12 PM

Very true.. the culprits are all free and busy deal breaking.. suicide bombers are training again.. and hate speech is again heard within the eastern province every Friday..

Reasonable Sunday, 31 July 2022 07:40 PM

No justice for the families of the dead !

TS Monday, 01 August 2022 07:31 AM

Cardinal also still engages in Politics.

sam Monday, 01 August 2022 08:20 AM

If you know the names please let everyone know

jan Monday, 01 August 2022 08:56 AM

CARDINAL NO NEED TO COMMENTS Y DONT SRILANKANS UNITED N START PROTESTING PEACEFULLY AT GALLE FACE /27MONTHS GONE,

Mary Thiagarajah Monday, 01 August 2022 10:06 AM

Knowing the culprits is everyone’s rights but taking action is the responsibility of law enforcement and not an individual’s. In a great country, justice will be prevailed.

Joseph Monday, 01 August 2022 10:41 AM

Yes the Cardinal should provide information to the responsible authorities. I presume its not only improper but a sin not to provide the information on a matter of national importance where scores of people were clod bloodedly murdered . Now that the newly appointed President has promised to bring justice to the victims, Cardinal should take the lead in providing the information to the government.

Roshanaly Monday, 01 August 2022 11:15 AM

What happened to the Dollars given to former President M. Sirisena through former Governor Muzzamil by Islamic Organisation to be given to the Bomb victim's family.

Ceylonese Monday, 01 August 2022 12:53 PM

In Sri Lanka you have to be involved in criminal activities to be a politician and you don't need to have any qualifications whatsoever. That's the reason why currently the country is in deep crisis and don't know what to do.

Lanka Peiris Monday, 01 August 2022 02:17 PM

If the Cardinal has any evidence, file a case and name everyone involved without making useless allegations Embroiling the church in politics is not the answer. " DO NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS"

A.Rajakumar Monday, 01 August 2022 03:31 PM

We need the Cardinal to join others to unite the nation, rather than make divisive unsubstantiated allegations. If the Cardinal's statement has been reported correctly, then I'm afraid he is wrong to say, Catholic Schools were taken over as the real position was Private Schools were taken over. These schools included, schools of all denominations.

Rynard Peters Monday, 01 August 2022 03:50 PM

If this Cardinal has any love for SriLanka why fear give the names of criminals? His clergy are the only ones having no shortage of anything in Srilanka. He should not meddle in politics, perhaps he is senile.

JayB Monday, 01 August 2022 04:44 PM

This is one of the biggest problems with SL, culturally. Everyone just makes accusations without any evidence. I cannot believe that a senior and respected religious leader can make such accusations without showing any evidence. If there is evidence, it should be presented to courts. to the media, to the international community. If there isn't, then this man is engaging in borderline criminal activity by spreading contentious rumors.

A.Rajakumar Monday, 01 August 2022 08:03 PM

Did the FBI visit the crime scenes soon after the Easter suicide bombings and leave with whatever evidence, hot hot? Cardinal, please request the FBI to tell the story, instead of Sri Lankan authorities, you seem to distrust.

RP Monday, 01 August 2022 08:29 PM

Sorry to disappoint Cardinal, our Politicians and the Security Staff are pre-occupied with intimidating and arresting Aragalaya Organizers and Protestors to maintain their power status-quo and prevent another Mass uprising. No time for Minority and Politically in-significant Catholics or their Cardinal.

Malanie perera Tuesday, 02 August 2022 04:36 AM

So sad to see respected Cardinal is stirring problems for a country during these difficult times !If he is so unhappy Get the Vatican to pay for foreign investigators and take over the Case No wonder Catholic Churches are empty in the west He is not fit to lead with his current views and actions This is not what is expected from him

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Easter Sunday attack suspects still engage in politics: Cardinal

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