• The Cardinal and the people of  this country have lost confidence in  the investigations on the Easter Sunday attacks because of  various statements  made by certain forces including the IGP

By Yohan Perera

In response to a letter sent by new Minister of Foreign Affairs Professor G. L, Peiris to Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith seeking a meeting, the Archdiocese of Colombo yesterday said the latter would meet the minister only if certain conditions are fulfilled. 

Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando, a member of the communications committee who made a statement on behalf of Cardinal Ranjith said the archbishop will meet the Minister only if the government creates confidence in the people of this country that the investigations carried out on the Easter Sunday attack is conducted in a transparent manner.

“The government should ensure that investigations are conducted in a transparent manner and rebuild the lost confidence. Government should therefore begin to implement the recommendations made by the Presidential Commission of inquiry which probed the Easter attacks. The cardinal will meet Profesor Peiris only if these conditions are met,” Fr . Fernando said.

“The Cardinal and the people of  this country have lost confidence in  the investigations on the Easter Sunday attacks because of  various statements  made by certain forces including the IGP,” he added.

It was reported earlier that Minister Peiries has sought a meeting with Cardinal Ranjith to brief him about the progress of investigations with regard to the Easter Sunday attacks and the action which the government intends to take on the Easter SundayMayhem.