Why did these terrorists choose these particular religious places and hotels to launch the attack? (Photo AFP)

• The right to security and safety is a fundamental human right, guaranteed by the UN charter that was promulgated at its first plenary in Paris on December 10, 1948
• Investigations have to be carried out as to who allowed these groups entry into Sri Lanka

Ever since the cold-blooded massacre at Aranthalawa of the 33 Buddhist monks in 1987 and the massive Kattankudy Mosque Massacre of over 147 Muslims in 1990, the worst and the most brutal  murder of  269 innocents in two Catholic churches, a Christian place of worship and three hotels in Colombo on Easter Sunday of April 21, 2019 goes on record as an incident of patent religious bigotry and extreme violent religious fundamentalism ever to stain this pearl of Indies. Terror has stalked the land again bewildering us all. 
The Easter massacre, while being a tragedy and catastrophe, bemoaned by all island-wide, continues on the other hand to be shrouded in mystery still to be unraveled as to who the master-minds were that planned and orchestrated this mayhem of mass murder. The Catholic Church is in a determined and stubborn resolve clamoring for justice to the victims of the tragedy as well as raising the cry for further search, true identification, apprehension, judicial trial and due punishment to be meted out to the heartless and insane perpetrators of this despicable cannibalism. Reports compiled by a presidential Commission of Inquiry as pledged, seem to be marred by serious lacunae in the process that border on the identity of the real perpetrators and culprits behind the scene. Debaters, political analysts and critics vouch for the fact that the report at hand is incomplete and that further stern efforts have to be made in continuing the investigation until the real truth of the matter can be unearthed. Till then questions continue to be raised about the contents of the CoI six-volume report running into 472 pages and 215 annexures.

A matter of National Concern

As it is we are dealing with a phenomenon that holds multiple security threats to the entire nation and the safety of its citizens. Whether those affected by such violence are in the majority or minority is of no concern. The right to security and safety is a fundamental human right, guaranteed by the UN charter that was promulgated at its first plenary in Paris on December 10, 1948. There is a compelling call therein to the governments in vogue to ensure that it is a reality and not just a pledge with any vested political or ethnic interest. Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security (art 3). Freedom of thought, conscience and religion are strongly mentioned in art. 10. There should be education for friendship among nations, racial and religious groups and all collaborating in the peace efforts of the UN. (art 26/2). The final article 30 exhorts all nations to honor the charter of rights and not to detract from it. 

Religious extremism is a contradiction in terms and creates a travesty of the of religion itself. No religion true to its dignity and name is in a rational and justifiable position to canonise itself as the only true and authentic one and beyond its frontiers to condemn, hate and strive to exterminate another religion as untrue and pagan. It is worse, when a religion is theistic and claims to kill in the name of its God. This is unacceptable on all grounds. Radical Islamic terrorism is such a frightening phenomenon that has become a universal threat to humanity on a global scale. 

One wonders whether such terrorist ranks in vituperate Islam is challenging what they think is western culture and economic imperialism. Unfortunately, Christianity in its various forms are perceived by them as the religious sanctuary that shelters the west that has grown by leaps and bounds in scientific research and complex technology and enjoys global economic clout. When they struck the mighty twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York city setting it up in an incredible conflagration and went on to strike  even at the heart of the pentagon, they told the world what they intended: to destroy and annihilate what symbolized the global centers of economic power and political clout in the west. The anti-Islamic fury and rhetoric unleashed by the Trump administration that threatened “to wipe off from the face of the earth” the ISIS and all forms of terrorism ignited more hate and staunch opposition among terrorist groups.

Difficult questions

It is sad that these dangerous extremists have even entered the pearl of Indies, the island of serendipity known for ages as the meeting point and oasis of many of the world’s living religious traditions: Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity and Islam. Indeed, a multi-religious citadel of harmony and tolerance. How terrorists entered this country, who gave them the visas permitting them entry are issues still shrouded in mystery. All countries living under democratic rule are avert to welcoming any terrorist group into their territories. Investigations have to be carried out as to who allowed these groups entry into Sri Lanka. If so, did anyone know about their movements? Were there any high-ups connected with their activities? Who funded them? Which is the master-mind and the invisible hand behind this carefully planned and orchestrated mass murder? Why did they choose these particular religious places and hotels to launch the attack?  Who were responsible for their stay and operations in the sector of national security? Is it true that terrorists chose Sri Lanka since they were aware that as a country our intelligence and security are very weak? Or was it, as some think, in retaliation to the massacre of the 51 Muslims in New Zealand at Christchurch in March 2019? 

This mayhem of destruction was of 269 innocent lives, most of whom were in their sacred sanctuaries celebrating Easter and few foreigners on holiday. While it was clear as to who carried out the massacres of Arantalawa and Kattankudy, the perpetrators of the Easter Day murders are still to be identified. Such a national tragedy of loss of innocent lives cannot be forgotten or put under the carpet as some occurrence of the past. As it is said, the blood of the innocents cry to the heavens for vengeance. It happened in sanctuaries dedicated to two very popular saints in Sri Lanka: St. Anthony at Kochchikade (Colombo) where even non-Christians flock and St. Sebastian in Katuwapitiya, a fully catholic village.

The clamor demanding the Government to identify the real perpetrators to be brought to justice in an impartial and trustworthy judicial  process which will condemn them publicly and mete out due punishment on the one hand and the cry to open the path to justice for all the victims: those who were killed, those who were maimed, some still languishing in hospitals and under severe emotional shock, those who lost their loved ones in these horrible blasts, have to be heeded in all honesty and bravely as well. The Easter Day massacre is sending dangerous signals to the authorities about their pledge to ensure safety of the people which is as important or as the economy and the battle against COVID-19. It is not without reason that the leadership of the Catholic Church stubbornly and resolutely spearheads the demand for justice for the victims and continues its struggle to voice dissatisfaction with the incomplete report at hand.

Conclusion

While serious blame must be placed squarely with the leadership in government of the day for not heeding to numerous intelligence warnings and for failure to swiftly prevent this terrible mass murder, further action has to be taken to identify the real culprits and give them their due punishment. Until then, groaning and lamentation will continue particularly in the communities of the churches where innocents fell victims in their hundreds. There might be more Black Sundays and public manifestation of grief and frustration as long as this issue remains shrouded in secrecy and remains a mystery. We need our land to be one of conviviality and tolerance once again.
Those who are entrusted to govern should not breach this sacred trust and ensure that such despicable acts of cowardice and tragedies that are a slap in the face of decent, civilized society would never ever darken our horizons especially at a time when the entire country is under heavy stress and duress in many other ways. This culture of death and intimidation has to be vanquished outright and ensuring instead a culture of life in our borders. We must face this dragon and monster of terrorism together in solidarity and in a spirit of true patriotism in love for our common home. All devout Muslims themselves together with their religious and political leadership must raise the cry of strong condemnation of this erratic and demonic trend of militant Islam which in itself weakens it spiritually, disfigures the Prophet’s teachings and stains its credibility as a religion of peace and brotherhood. Killing in the name of God is sheer blasphemy besides being a crime against humanity. Only inter-religious peace ensures peace among nations.