Colombage Melani Manel Perera

The Sri Lankan government is thought to be negotiations deals over military bases with foreign powers to protect the country from international terrorism following the Easter Sunday attacks.

The massacres opened a deep wound in the country and increased suspicion of Muslims. The latter feel guilty towards Christians. The Islamic community must assume its responsibilities, "otherwise the peace process will not be served". Extremism is not financed by itself, "so it will take time to defeat it".

Yesterday, the country stopped to remember the 257 dead. Relatives and friends still struggle to overcome the pain of losing loved ones. Mary Selvamathy lost her husband and two children. Gloria, 17, lost her father, who " was bleeding”. She “begged for someone to help” but men were “filming and taking pictures” instead of helping.

The All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama group speaks. Leader Moulavi Farood Farook says the bombers of April 21 "have neither religion nor faith"; this is why their bodies were not cremated in the Islamic cemetery. Christian leaders call for peace and non-violence.

Television operators invade the homes and privacy of survivors, they "must be educated in communications ethics". A comment posted on Facebook sparks new violence against Muslims in Chilaw. Survivors must be supported in the long run by specialist groups. Taking care of even the first responders, priests and nuns included.

Card Ranjith led the function in the church of, one of those targeted in the attacks. "We do not hate you - the prelate said - but you will answer for your actions before God". Some survivors speak to AsiaNews: "We can't forget the sound of bombs and the cries of those who were dying".

The Methodist bishop of Colombo invites the country's political leaders to put aside ethnic and religious differences to help the population to restart after the Easter attacks. The re-opening of the schools is fundamental: "Without lessons, how can our children face the exams?"

Amid security measures and reconstruction, people of different faiths are lining up to honor the saint. The memory of those killed in the massacre, and the hope that "they are in God’s embrace". Wrath towards the government: "They cannot guarantee security".

The Archbishop of Colombo reports that he has received "reliable information from foreign sources" on the danger of violence. Next Monday schools will reopen: in the whole country there are more than 10 thousand, the government has placed an agent to guard each one.

The archbishop holds a press conference to denounce the authorities’ failures. Schools must remain closed until pupils and teachers are safe. He warns about the dangers looming over the upcoming Vesak festival. The Commission of Inquiry is likely to fail like previous ones.

Catholic and Protestant clerics have banned Mass in churches. Such a step was not taken even during the country’s civil war. Muslim women are not allowed full face covering for security reasons.

The two little Muslims had gone to mass with their little friends on the feast day in the church of St Sebastian, struck by the terrorist attack at Easter. The Islamic and Catholic communities of Negombo have strong bonds of friendship. The fear of an inter-ethnic and inter-religious division that makes the country go back to the civil war. In the name of security, Islamic women should not wear the burqa. Sheikh Abdul Rahman, social worker, is a collaborator of Caritas Colombo.