“No confidence in the government’s investigations. We keep our trust in God” – Colombo Archbishop

Sri Lanka’s Catholic church said it had lost faith in government investigations into the 2019 Easter bombings that killed 279 people and injured hundreds, claiming it would seek ‘divine help’ for justice for the victims.

“The Roman Catholic church in the majority Buddhist nation no longer trusted the authorities to expose those behind the bombings,” told Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith at the press briefing held at the Bishop’s House yesterday, 17th April.

Colombo Archbishop, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith stated that it is accepted by everyone that even though 5 years have passed, there has not been a transparent and independent investigation in a satisfactory manner.

He also stated that no matter how much was raised about this and no matter how many requests were made, such an investigation did not take place and it is not possible to think that it could happen.

“So far, we have not received any assurance or favorable response from the leaders of both parties in power. But we do not give up our hope as people who follow God. We continue our program with faith in God that God will gradually reveal the truth about this,” said Archbishop Malcolm Ranjith.

The cardinal also noted that the government failed to investigate allegations in a 2023 British television documentary that linked the Easter Sunday bombers to a top intelligence officer in the current administration.

Also, Archbishop Cardinal Ranjith said that, three weeks ago, the Catholic Church received the remaining parts of the report submitted by the presidential commission which probed the Easter Sunday attacks.

Archbishop said that a team of lawyers are studying the report and we will come up with a statement on it once the study is completed.

He said the process of declaring Easter Sunday victims as martyrs will begin on Sunday, April 21, 2024 when the country commemorates the fifth anniversary of the mayhem.

“All names of those who perished in the explosions at the Katuwapitiya church, Kochchikade church and the Zion church will be handed over to Apostolate Nuncio ( Vatican Ambassador) during the commemoration programmes which are to be held on Sunday. The process of declaring these victims as martyrs will begin on that day,” Archbishop added.

END.