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Justice for Easter Sunday terror victims: Cardinal asks President to honour his pledge

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Nuns participated in a walk yesterday in Colombo carrying photographs of the Easter Sunday victims. (Pic by Nishan S. Priyantha)

On the sixth anniversary of the Easter Sunday carnage, Archbishop of Colombo, Rt. Rev. Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith urged President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to keep the promise he made at Katuwapitiya, Negombo, on 06 October, 2024, soon after the presidential election, to expose those behind the attacks.

Nearly 280 people perished in the Easter Sunday attacks, while nearly 500 were wounded.

Addressing a gathering at the main memorial service held yesterday morning at St. Anthony’s Church in Kochchikade, one of the churches targeted by the Easter Sunday suicide bombers, the Cardinal requested the President to submit the full report, pertaining to the Easter Sunday terror attacks, to the Parliament and make it public, set up an independent prosecutor’s office to oversee investigations and prosecutions, expose all those involved and prosecute them, regardless of their rank or position, fully implementation of the recommendations of the report submitted by the Presidential Commission appointed to investigate the attacks, probe alleged ties between the Directorate of Military Intelligence and alleged terrorist leader Zahran Hashim, and also examine the claims made in the UK’s Channel 4 programme, including statements from key witness Asad Maulana, introduce new laws to dismantle the lawlessness and para-political structures that enabled the conspiracy behind the attacks and foster a new political culture where those in power serve the people, rather than ruling over them.

The Cardinal alleged that elements of the previous political leadership were continuing efforts to suppress the truth even today.

The Cardinal claimed that a ‘para-state’ is operating within the country, controlled by various government entities, influenced by politically defeated forces.

Cardinal Ranjith reaffirmed his hope that those responsible for the attacks should be brought to justice without delay.

The Cardinal found fault with the former Attorney General, Dappula de Livera, PC, for failing to act in spite of alleging that the Easter Sunday carnage was a grand conspiracy while accusing the powers that be of undermining public accountability.

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith expressed concern that the prevailing legal framework and the inertia of certain officials have created serious obstacles to progress.

Cardinal Ranjith emphasised that the Easter Sunday terror attacks remain a painful and unresolved tragedy. He stressed that if the existing laws are insufficient to ensure justice, it is the government’s duty to change them — boldly and decisively.

The Cardinal urged President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to take firm action to eradicate all forms of anti-democratic and politically motivated activity, and to honour the promise he made in Katuwapitiya, Negombo, on 06 October, 2024 — to ensure that the blood of the innocent would not be forgotten, and to uncover the full truth behind the attacks.

“It is our sincere hope, President, that you will not allow this national tragedy to be buried by time,’ Cardinal Ranjith said. ‘Justice must prevail, and all those involved must be held accountable.”



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Timely and accurate data essential for effective decision making – PM

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A meeting was held to discuss post-disaster planning and the reconstruction process, with special focus on flood-prone areas on Monday [8 th of December]  at the Prime Minister’s Office under the patronage of the Prime Minister, and attended by representatives from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank, and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).

During the meeting, the Prime Minister emphasized the critical importance of timely and systematic information and data collection to support timely and effective decision-making on a daily basis following the post disaster situations. The Prime noted that accurate data flows are essential for guiding recovery efforts in the short and long term.

The Representatives outlined the need assessment process using RAPIDA and Global Rapid Post-Disaster Damage Estimation (GRADE), the UNDP’s post-crisis assessment initiated by integrating GIS technology, satellite imagery, and ground-level data, to deliver real-time, actionable insights after a crisis to helps identify affected locations, communities, infrastructure damage, debris estimates, and land use changes-providing crucial data.

The representatives of UNDP reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the Government and they expressed their readiness to collaborate closely and to strengthen ongoing partnerships to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of post-disaster response and reconstruction activities.

The discussion was attended by the Country Manager for World Bank Dr. Gevorg Sargsyan, Resident Representatives for United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Ms. Azusa Kubota, South Asia Director for United Nations Office for Project Services ((UNOPS), and Secretary to the Prime Minister  Pradeep Saputhanthri, Additional Secretary (Development) Ms Sagarika Bogahawaththa and officials from the Department of National Planning.

[Prime minister’s media division]

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Bandaranaike Memorial National Foundation donates Rs. 250 million to the Government for national recovery after the emergency situation

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The Bandaranaike Memorial National Foundation has donated Rs. 250 million to the Government to support the rebuild of the country following the emergency situation caused by the Ditva cyclone.

Chairperson of the Bandaranaike Memorial National Foundation, former President Chandrika Bandaranaike, together with the Board of Directors, handed over the cheque to Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on 08 th of December at the Prime Minister’s Office.

Subsequently, a cordial discussion was held between the Foundation’s Chairperson, former President Chandrika Bandaranaike, and Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

The occasion was attended by the secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri, Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, and representatives of the Board of Directors of the Bandaranaike Memorial National Foundation.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

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Level III landslide warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale extended

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The Level III RED landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale by the Landslide Early Warning Center of the National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] have been extended until 1600hrs tomorrow [10th December 2025].

Accordingly,
The LEVEL III RED landslide early warnings issued to the Divisional Secretaries Division and surrounding areas of Panvila, Udapalatha, Minipe, Poojapitiya, Gangawata Korale, Thumpane, Doluwa, Pathadumbara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Harispattuwa, Akurana, Ududumbara, Pathahewaheta, Hatharaliyadda, Yatinuwara, Deltota, Medadumbara, Udunuwara, Kundasale and Pasbage Korale in the Kandy district, Yatiyanthota, Rambukkana, Aranayaka, Warakapola, Galigamuwa, Mawanella and Bulathkohupitiya in the Kegalle district, Mallawapitiya, Rideegama and Mawathagama in the Kurunegala district, and Ukuwela, Pallepola, Rattota, Matale, Laggala Pallegama, Yatawatta, Naula, Ambanganga Korale and Wilgamuwa  in the Matale district have been extended.

LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings  issued to the Divisional Secretaries Division and surrounding areas of Uva Paranagama, Hali_Ela, Meegahakivula, Badulla, Kandeketiya, Bandarawela, Soranathota, Ella, Haputhale, Lunugala, Welimada, Haldummulla and Passara in the Badulla district, Ruwanwella, Dehiowita, Kegalle and Deraniyagala in the Kegalle district, Alawwa and Polgahawela in the Kurunegala district and Nuwara Eliya, Nildandahinna, Thalawakele, Kothmale West, Mathurata, Ambagamuwa Korale, Hanguranketha, Walapane, Kothmale East and Norwood in the Nuwara Eliya district, and Kahawaththa, Kolonna and Godakawela  in the Ratnapura district have also been extended.

LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Mirigama, Divulapitiya and Attanagalla in the Gampaha district, Narammala in the Kurunegala district, and Kiriella, Balangoda, Kuruwita, Openayake, Nivithigala, Kaltota, Pelmadulla, Kalawana, Eheliyagoda, Elapatha, Ayagama, Imbulpe and Ratnapura in the Ratnapura district.

 

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