By: Isuru Parakrama
October 06, Colombo (LNW): President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has pledged to accelerate investigations into the tragic Easter Sunday attacks, vowing that justice will be served and measures implemented to prevent such a catastrophe from reoccurring in Sri Lanka.
During a visit to St. Sebastian’s Church in Katuwapitiya, Negombo, he met with the families of victims and laid floral tributes at the memorial in their honour.
Addressing the families of those killed and injured in the 2019 attack, President Dissanayake expressed his determination to uncover the full truth behind the atrocity.
He assured those gathered that the government’s priority is to ensure a transparent and impartial investigation into the bombings that claimed 274 lives and left many others injured.
“The Easter Sunday tragedy will not be allowed to fade with time. We will seek justice for the victims and provide answers to the public,” he stated, underscoring the gravity of the incident.
The President also noted that public sentiment regarding the attacks influenced the outcome of the most recent presidential election, as many sought accountability and justice.
He committed to pursuing this cause, assuring the victims’ families that his administration would leave no stone unturned in their pursuit of fairness.
Emphasising the need for an unbiased approach, the President called for an investigation free from political interference or assumptions. He instructed the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security to ensure the inquiry remains objective and driven solely by facts.
The President acknowledged suspicions within society that the attacks may have been politically motivated. If such a conspiracy exists, he warned, it would mark a deeply disturbing chapter in the nation’s history.
“We must ensure that politics does not degrade to the point where innocent lives are lost for political advantage,” Dissanayake stressed.
In his remarks, the President also addressed concerns about possible involvement by elements within the previous government, stating that if proven true, it would leave the country in a perilous state.
The investigation, he insisted, must expose any and all wrongdoers, regardless of their positions.
The President paid tribute to the resilience of the victims’ families, many of whom have marched for justice every April 21st since the attacks. Their perseverance, he said, has kept alive the hope for a resolution.
His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, Archbishop of Colombo, who also attended the event, shared his frustrations about the lack of resolution from international human rights bodies, despite appeals on behalf of the victims.
He acknowledged the efforts of the government in supporting the survivors but questioned the real motives behind the attacks.
The Cardinal expressed his confidence in President Dissanayake’s leadership and integrity, believing that the current administration will finally deliver justice to those affected by the Easter Sunday tragedy.
The President concluded by thanking the clergy for their role in maintaining social harmony in the aftermath of the attacks. He stressed that unity and trust must be upheld within the nation and called for continued vigilance to safeguard the well-being of all Sri Lankans.
The event was attended by Rev. Fr. Manjula Niroshan, head of the Katuwapitiya Church mission, and a large gathering of victims, families, and local devotees.
