The Catholic Church in Sri Lanka will not accept the apology tendered by former President Maithripala Sirisena on the shortcomings in preventing the Easter Sunday bomb attacks, National Director Communications Archdiocese of Colombo Fr. Jude Chryshantha Fernando said today.

Speaking to the media Fr. Fernando said the Former President will have to go to jail for failing to prevent the attack.

“Former President Sirisena has said there were bomb explosions all over the nation during the war and no probe has been carried out on those terror attacks. He should remember that prior warnings have been issued on the Easter Sunday bombings. Places, where the attacks would take place, were also known. Therefore, President Sirisena cannot get away from the responsibility,” Fr. Fernando said.

“Former President Sirisena has also said Catholics of Sri Lanka will forgive him and welcome him. We therefore, request him to go among the Catholics in Kochcikade and Negombo and prove that he is welcomed. Also he has said he pleads for forgiveness on behalf of God. Is he God’s representative to make such a statement?” he added. (Yohan Perera)