Sri Lanka on Friday(21) marks the fourth anniversary of the deadly Easter Sunday bombings, which killed over 250 people and injured hundreds more. Multiple suicide bomb attacks targeted Catholic churches and tourist hotels across the island nation on April 21, 2019.
As the nation continues to grapple with the aftermath of the devastating attacks, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith has called on Sri Lankans to join a human chain protest, known as Jana Paura, to support the Church’s quest for truth and justice over the attacks.
Speaking to the media, Cardinal Ranjith said, “We are still waiting for the government to fulfill its promise to bring those responsible for the attacks to justice. The victims and their families have suffered enough. It’s time to bring closure to this painful chapter in our history.”
The human chain protest is expected to see thousands of Sri Lankans, including clergy, politicians, and civil society activists, link arms and form a chain across the capital, Colombo. The event is set to start at 10 a.m. local time and will be held under strict COVID-19 safety protocols.
The Catholic Church has been pushing for an independent inquiry into the Easter Sunday bombings, arguing that the government’s investigations have been inadequate and lacking transparency. The Church has also criticized the government’s handling of the aftermath of the attacks, including the delay in compensating the victims and their families.
The Sri Lankan government has acknowledged the Church’s concerns and has promised to hold those responsible for the attacks accountable. However, progress on the investigations has been slow, and many Sri Lankans have criticized the government’s response as inadequate.
The attacks shocked the nation and the world, and Sri Lanka has since tightened its security measures to prevent further terrorist attacks.
As Sri Lankans mark the fourth anniversary of the Easter Sunday bombings, the human chain protest is a reminder that the victims and their families are still waiting for justice and closure.
