By: Isuru Parakrama
October 07, Colombo (LNW): During a visit to St. Sebastian’s Church in Katuwapitiya, Negombo, an impassioned survivor of the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks confronted President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, expressing deep frustration over the lack of justice for victims.
The individual accused the authorities of failing to act on advance warnings of the tragic events and suggested that all politicians had prior knowledge of the impending attacks.
He also confronted the President whether he can bring back his parents and his child, who lost their lives due to the massacre.
The exchange occurred when the victim had the opportunity to address the President directly during a discussion on the ongoing efforts to seek accountability for the Easter attacks, which devastated Sri Lanka on 21 April 2019.
The victim’s anger underscored the mounting public sentiment that justice had not been adequately served.
In response, President Dissanayake categorically pointed out that not all politicians were aware of the warnings. He explained that only the security personnel assigned to high-profile political figures had received intelligence about a potential attack.
He further emphasised that neither he nor his fellow party members in Parliament at the time had benefited from such enhanced security measures, highlighting the disparity in protection provided.
The President then outlined his government’s approach to delivering justice, stressing a threefold path to resolution.
First, he noted the importance of completing thorough investigations to identify and hold accountable those responsible for the attacks.
Dissanayake committed to ensuring that those behind the violence would face legal repercussions.
Secondly, the President highlighted the necessity of taking proactive steps to prevent any recurrence of such an atrocity. He stressed the importance of improving security measures and addressing any vulnerabilities in the country’s defences to protect the public.
Lastly, President Dissanayake acknowledged that if political interference or systemic failures were found to have contributed to the attacks, it would be essential to reform the political structure itself. He pointed out that such reform must be achieved through political means, as governance and policy changes are intrinsically tied to the political system.
Without addressing these structural issues, he warned, the system would remain flawed and open to future crises.
The President’s remarks, whilst outlining a clear path forward, also underscored the complexities surrounding the pursuit of justice for the Easter Sunday attacks.
For many survivors and their families, the ongoing delays and political entanglements have only added to their anguish, leaving them demanding more urgent and transparent action from the authorities.
