Maithri apologizes to Catholic community ‘Catholics have no grudge against me’

• The court ruling on the case does not say that he has committed an offense

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya  

Former President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday apologized to the Catholic community and the Easter Sunday victims over the tragedy that took place in 2019 when he was the President.  

Speaking at a media briefing in Colombo, the former President asked for forgiveness for such a tragedy taking place during his tenure, adding that he was unaware beforehand of the attacks.   “The Catholic community does not hold a grudge against me. I read the Bible when I was 15 years old. I had to pay compensation today because of a mistake made by others. I apologize that an incident like this took place during my tenure,” he said.  

He said the court ruling on the case does not say that he has committed an offense. “If the officials appointed by the President make any serious mistake, the President will be responsible for that mistake. That is my connection to the case,” he said.  

The former President said he was ordered to pay Rs.100 million as compensation to the Easter Sunday victims and he hopes to collect it from friends as much as he can.