“If the government or anyone else thinks that our people will be satisfied by having 20, 30 cases in court instead of (a proper investigation), they're just fooling themselves,” writes the archbishop of Colombo in a new letter slamming the sloppy investigation into the 2019 church attacks.
Colombo (Asia News) – In a letter to Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Card Malcolm Ranjit, archbishop of Colombo, again expresses his disappointment at the gaps in the investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks against churches and hotels that killed 269 people and wounded about 500.
The cardinal mentioned the letter at a press conference. In the missive, signed by other bishops and priests from the National Catholic Committee for Justice to Easter Attack Victims, Card Ranjit writes that “if truth and justice cannot be assured in a satisfactory manner in this matter by the government and this issue is dealt with rather superficially, we will be forced to act through alternative means.”
“We prepared this document after a thorough analysis of the investigation into the Easter attack. In this document, we present the facts about the current activities and the work that needs to be done,” Cardinal Ranjith added.
The “Easter attack was a huge attack on the people. Security was threatened. [. . .] After that attack, the Sri Lankan economy collapsed”. In view of the situation, “We expect a more active investigation,” he noted.
What is more, “assurances were given” that “what is going on beneath the surface of this country” would be brought to light. Hence, “We urge the government not to try to sweep this matter (investigation) under the rug by taking only a few people to court,” the prelate said.
In his view, the “hidden mysteries” behind the attack need to be revealed, and the political coverup must be removed.
Since the former attorney general spoke of “a grand conspiracy behind the attack”, the archbishop of Colombo concludes that “If the government or anyone else thinks that our people will be satisfied by having 20, 30 cases in court instead of (a proper investigation), they're just fooling themselves.” In the end, “We shall not end our struggle [for justice].”