Colombo’s Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith said today he had still not received a positive response from those in power for his call to have an independent probe on the Easter Sunday attack and to provide relief to those killed and injured in the attack.

He said this during a visit to the Sri Dalada Maligawa accompanied by a group of Catholic priests led by visiting Italian Bishops Conference President, Cardinal Gualtiero Bassetti.

“We have never been biased towards one political party. We will not ask people to vote for a particular party. But, it is our responsibility to reveal the truth on the attack and heal the broken hearts of the affected. Those affected and injured in the attack ask us who committed this crime and why they did it? We are unable to respond without a proper investigation to ascertain the truth behind the attack. That is why we are asking for such an investigation,” the Cardinal said.

He said various people give numerous assurances that they would do this and that the government should appoint a special committee to look into this matter before the elections.

“Everyone’s focus is on gaining power. Those in power should do something to heal the wounded minds of the affected people,” he said. “We will not be satisfied even if the opposition gave an assurance to conduct an investigation or about the government keeping mum,” the Cardinal said. (J.A.L. Jayasinghe)

Video by Nadeeka Dayabandara