President Promises justice for the 2019 massacres
A ceremony marking 50 years of priesthood for Colombo Archbishop Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith took place last evening, 07th of July, at the Archbishop’s House Auditorium under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. “The government will have to subject itself to a probe to find the truth behind the Easter Sunday attacks. It is a Herculean task. However, we will ensure that justice will be meted out to Easter Sunday victims,” addressing the gathering, the President said.
Sri Lanka Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and other Government ministers, Religious leaders, ambassadors, tri-service commanders, and the Inspector General of Police participated in this event.
The government will have to subject itself to a probe to uncover the truth behind Easter Sunday attacks, and it is a challenging task, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said, addressing the gathering.
Speaking during the event held to mark 50 years of Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith’s religious life, the President assured that the truth behind the Easter Sunday attacks will be unveiled and justice meted out to the affected.
“The government will have to subject itself to a probe to find the truth behind the Easter Sunday attacks. It is a Herculean task. However, we will ensure that justice will be meted out to Easter Sunday victims,” the President said.
He said the government will heed Cardinal Ranjith’s frequent request for meeting out justice for Easter Sunday attack victims. “Cardinal makes a calm request at times, while he becomes influential at times when talking of Easter Sunday attack victims. However, we will heed him,” he said.
President Dissanayake also greatly appreciated the Archbishop’s display of tolerance during the Easter attack and said, “The cardinal’s patience and quiet nature prevented the big troubles that could have happened at that time.”
The President said Sri Lanka needs leaders who could be an example to the citizens to build a just society. “Sri Lanka’s society is in such a state today as relationships between parents and children and even relationships between clergy have grown cold,” he also said.
Archbishop Cardinal Ranjith, who spoke later, requested the President to carry out a probe into the Easter Sunday attacks and uncover the conspiracy behind them.
“Don’t listen to sermons of the IMF and other international organisations but work towards reducing the cost of living and taking away various hardships faced by the people,” the Cardinal said.
“Our country strongly feels the need for a new beginning. Therefore, we urge you to continue to work diligently to protect the religious and cultural values, ancient harmony and peace of our country, which is the heritage of a Buddhist culture that dates back more than 2500 years and a prehistory that goes back even further, and to lead our country to prosperity.” Said the Archbishop.
And further, “We request you to investigate the 40 years of horrific crimes such as disappearances, murders, underworld activities and the Easter attacks in Sri Lanka, as well as the corrupt projects that have burdened the country with debt, and to continue to be active so that such corrupt acts do not occur in the future.” Cardinal added.
The Archbishop, Cardinal Ranjith, also said that he would like to remind the President to fulfil his promises to do justice to the Easter fast.
Sri Lanka’s second Cardinal after Cardinal Thomas Cooray, Colombo Archbishop Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith was ordained as a priest on June 29, 1975, by Pope Paul VI in St. Peter’s Square in Rome.
On the 29th, Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith completed 50 years of priesthood, and a thanksgiving service was held at St. Lucia’s Cathedral in Kotahena on June 30.
Pictures: Archdiocese of Colombo News
