March 16, Colombo (LNW): His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, the Archbishop of Colombo, has expressed his continued hope for justice to be delivered for the victims of the Easter Sunday attacks before the sixth anniversary of the tragic event.
Speaking at a public forum at the Archbishop’s House in Colombo on March 15, Cardinal Ranjith strongly emphasised the urgent need for accountability and justice, warning that the failure to act would compel the public to take to the streets in protest.
The Cardinal reminded the gathering of the promises made by the political leadership of Sri Lanka following the devastating attacks of April 2019.
“The leaders who were in power at the time vowed to bring those responsible for the Easter Sunday bombings to justice. However, none of these assurances have been realised,” he said.
He further explained that the church had supported the election of the current government in the hope that it would enact meaningful change and bring about justice for the victims.
“We stood behind the change in leadership, believing it would address the deep-rooted issues in the system. But if no progress is made, we will have no choice but to reconsider our position.”
Cardinal Ranjith reiterated the government’s responsibility to fulfil the promises made by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa during his visit to the Katuwapitiya Church, where he pledged to ensure justice for the victims.
“We are still waiting for a fair and just response from the government. If we do not receive one before the sixth anniversary of the attacks, we will be left with no other option but to take to the streets once again,” the Cardinal warned.
This statement underscores the ongoing frustration and anguish felt by the victims’ families and the Catholic community, who have repeatedly called for accountability for those responsible for the deadly bombings that claimed the lives of over 250 people and injured many more.
