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Church demands justice for Easter Sunday victims

Published

4 years ago

2022/10/4

Sahan Weerasooriya

Prez meets chief of Catholic Bishops’ Conference

By Shamindra Ferdinando

President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Rt. Rev. Harold Anthony Perera, who is also the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kurunegala has told President Ranil Wickremesinghe that the victims of the 2019 Easter Sunday carnage had been denied justice.

Rt. Rev. Perera has stressed the responsibility on the part of the government to bring the perpetrators of the Easter massacre to justice.

The Bishop of Kurunegala said so in response to The Island query whether he raised the issues pertaining to the Easter Sunday massacre when President Wickremesinghe, accompanied by former Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake, paid a courtesy call on him on Sunday (02) at the Bishop’s House.

UNP leader Wickremesinghe served as the Prime Minister of the then Yahapalana government (2015-2019) blamed for failing to thwart multiple terror attacks.

Attacks on churches at Katuwapitiya, Colomba Kochchikade and Batticaloa and three hotels, namely Cinnamon Grand, Shangri-La and Kingsbury claimed the lives of nearly 270 and wounded over 400.

Declaring that there hasn’t been any change in their stance, Rt. Rev Perera disclosed that he also raised how some of the key suspects ended up as state witnesses. The Bishop of Kurunegala reminded the President of the failure on the part of the state intelligence apparatus to alert the Catholic Church of the impending suicide attacks.

The Bishop of Kurunegala quoted President Wickremesinghe as having said that he was exploring the possibility of securing the assistance of Scotland Yard to investigate the Easter attacks.

The Bishop of Kurunegala succeeded as the President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference from the Bishop of Badulla, Winston Fernando, nearly two months ago.

Rt. Rev. Perera has also pointed out the continuing difficulties experienced by the people as the country struggled to cope up with the economic fallout.

Top spokesperson for the Church, Rev. Father Cyril Gamini Fernando, yesterday said that their struggle for justice would continue. Rev Father Fernando emphasized the responsibility of the government of the day to implement the recommendations made by Presidential Commission, appointed by the then President Maitripala Sirisena. Pointing out that Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who succeeded Sirisena, too, endorsed the same Commission, Rev Father Fernando said that the perpetrators of this heinous crime couldn’t getaway through political jugglery.

The Commission made recommendations in respect of the then President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. Since then Sirisena has entered Parliament, on the SLPP ticket, whereas Wickremesinghe secured the presidency, with the backing of the SLPP.

The meeting between the Bishop of Kurunegala and President Wickremesinghe took place in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling that proceedings in respect of 12 fundamental rights cases filed in terms of the Article 35(1) couldn’t be continued against the latter since he now enjoyed the presidential immunity.

The ruling was delivered by a seven-judge-bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya. However, proceedings would continue in respect of Polonnaruwa District MP Sirisena.

Rev. Fernando said that they weren’t satisfied at all with the way law enforcement and judicial authorities handled the high profile investigations. Successive administrations had conveniently forgotten their own Presidential Commission report, Rev Fernando said, pointing out that none of the recommendations had been implemented.

Rev Fernando noted that the Geneva-based United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), too, addressed the issue at hand.

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Related Topics:Easter Sunday Featured Rt. Rev. Harold Anthony Perera

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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district

Published

9 hours ago

2026/04/16

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 15 April 2026, valid for 16 April 2026.

The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern
and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491

Latest News

Indonesian Navy Sailing Ship KRI BIMA SUCI – 945 makes port call in Colombo

Published

14 hours ago

2026/04/15

Priyan

The Indonesian Navy Sailing Ship KRI BIMA SUCI – 945 arrived at the Port of Colombo on a goodwill visit on 15 Apr 2026 and was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) in compliance with time-honoured naval traditions.

The vessel’s arrival is a key highlight of the ASEAN Plus Cadet Sail (APCS) – 2026 programme , accompanying a diverse contingent of Navy cadets from 26 different nations alongside their Indonesian counterparts.

The ship is commanded by Commander SUGENG HARIYANTO. Meanwhile, Officer Under-trainees of the Sri Lanka Navy are expected to participate in various programmes aboard the
ship and naval personnel observe its operational functions during its stay in the island.

Furthermore, the ship’s crew is scheduled to take part in programmes organized by the Sri Lanka Navy to enhance camaraderie between the two navies, as well as visit several tourist attractions in the country.

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PM initiates children into learning at the auspicious time while observing New Year traditional customs and rituals

Published

14 hours ago

2026/04/15

Priyan

The Sinhala and Tamil New Year cultural festival, organized by the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, was held on Tuesday (14) in Gampaha under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, with the performance of traditional auspicious customs and rituals.

In accordance with tradition, during the Punya Kalaya (inauspicious time), the Prime Minister visited the Medagama Sri Sunandarama Viharaya in Gampaha and participated in religious observances and received blessings from Venerable Thunmodara Samitha Thero, a member of the Karaka Sangha Sabha of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya and the Chief Incumbent of the Medagama Sri Sunandarama Dharmaduta Piriven Viharaya.

The traditional observances of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year cultural festival were held at the residence of Darshana Weerasinghe in Gampaha. Marking the auspicious time for commencing work, and upon the invitation of the host family, the Prime Minister planted a sapling within the premises. Concurrently, Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, joined the PM.

Subsequently, the Prime Minister joined children in engaging in traditional folk games.

At the auspicious time for engaging work and educational activities, the PM participated with children in reading and writing, guiding them and symbolically marking the commitment to advancing the educational development of the nation’s children.

Thereafter, the Prime Minister and other distinguished guests observed the traditional customs of exchanging greetings, transactions and gifts with the host family, and joined them to partake in the customary New Year meal.

Extending New Year greetings to all citizens, the Prime Minister expressed her gratitude to all Sri Lankans, both at home and abroad, for their contributions in overcoming and effectively managing the various challenges faced by the country.

Speaking at the occasion, Minister Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi stated that the Sinhala and Tamil New Year festival symbolizes renewal and purity, and reflects the energy of the sun. He also conveyed his wishes for a peaceful and prosperous New Year for all.

The occasion was attended by the Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning and Minister of Labour, Dr. Anil Jayantha; Deputy Minister of Labour, Mahinda Jayasinghe; Member of Parliament for the Gampaha District, Ruwan Mapalagama; along with the Gampaha District Secretary, Mayor, Divisional Secretaries, and a large number of government officials.

(Prime Minister’s Media Division)