Cardinal says recommendations made by PCoI delayed

Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith today questioned as to whether the recommendations made by the Presidential Commission which probed Easter Sunday attacks is delayed because the secrets behind the attack will come up as a result of such an exercise.

He came out with this remark during a ceremony held at St. Sebastian’s Church to mark the 3rd anniversary of Easter Sunday attacks.

“We are suspicious that the present regime continues to delay the implementation of the recommendations made by the Presidential Commission which probed the Easter Sunday attack including taking action against former President Maithripala Sirisena is delayed because such action may result in more disclosures. Those in present regime might be worried that secrets behind the Easter Sunday attacks will be uncovered if the recommendations of the presidential commission are implemented,” Cardinal Ranjith said.

He said the release of former President’s Secretary Hemasiri Fernando who accepted that he had prior knowledge of the attacks, and the former IGP Pujith Jayasundara by the Attorney General Department and the government is an insult on the bomb victims and the wounded. “This is a shameless act. Is it not the person with supreme powers in the country is behind this move,” he said.

He said the incumbent IGP who had given promotions to those officer against whom the presidential commission had recommended disciplinary action is also responsible.

“The arrest of DIG Nalaka Silva who was working towards obtaining a warrant to arrest Zahran who led the Easter Sunday attacks over the alleged plot to kill the former President and the incumbent President had paved the way for the attacks,” he added. He said it has been revealed that former President who had asked the security officers who had wanted to arrest Zahran not to play with snakes.

Apostate Nuncio (Vatican Ambassador in Colombo) Archbishop Brian Udaigwe said the Vatican will encourage the four religions of this nation to work together for reconciliation. “We hope religions will come together in finding solutions to the current socio-economic crisis which Sri Lanka faces today,” he said.(Yohan Perera)