Catholic MP’s unsatisfied with final report of (PCoI) Lanza

The attack was carried out by terrorists. Who helped those terrorists? Who sponsored them? That is what the entire country wants to know

By Sandun A Jayasekera  

Catholic Parliamentarians are not satisfied with the final report and its recommendations of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) that probed the Easter Sunday carnage, state minister Nimal Lanza said yesterday.  
He added that the Easter Sunday attack was not carried out by Buddhists.

The attack was carried out by terrorists. Who helped those terrorists? Who sponsored them? That is what the entire country wants to know. Therefore, we wish to state that we are dissatisfied with the report of this commission.  

Rural Roads and other Infrastructure development State Minister, Nimal Lanza says that we are sorry if anyone tries to create problems between the Sinhala Buddhists and Catholics in this country based on the report of the commission appointed to look into the Easter attack.  

Addressing a ceremony held to mark the launching of the Deiyyandara road development work in Matara, state minister Lanza went on to say that the Easter Sunday attack took place due to the shortcomings of the Yahapalanaya government. Therefore, its responsibility cannot be transferred to anyone else. Security was reduced to zero levels. Major lapses in security and the arresting of intelligence officers and political victimization of those in charge of security paved the way for the Easter Sunday bomb attack, he said.  

“This commission was appointed by the last regime of good governance. Therefore, we cannot take responsibility for this commission as its officers were  appointed by former President Maithripala Sirisena. Besides the report of the PCoI has created a huge conflict of opinion in society regarding some of its decisions,” he stressed.  
“As someone who represents the Catholic community, we express our regret if any Sinhala Buddhist organisation in our country is offended by the commissions report. Also, it should be noted that the Catholic Church, which represents the Catholic people had a good rapport with Sinhala Buddhist organisations. The commission has done something else,” he stressed.

When the Easter Sunday attack took place, the Catholic people were greatly supported by the revered Buddhist monks, Buddhist leaders and the Buddhist people. This is a Sinhala Buddhist country. According to Buddhist culture, we accept advice of Buddhist leaders State, Minister Lanza noted..  

Parliamentarian Nipuna Ranawaka, former Southern Provincial Councilors Pasanna Yapa Abeywardena, Sarath Yapa Abeywardena and several other politicians were also present at the occasion.