Pope endorses struggle to uncover truth of Easter massacre: Cardinal

By Norman Palihawadane

Colombo Archbishop Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith last week said that Pope Francis has endorsed the continued struggle to uncover the truth about the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings.

During a holy mass marking the 150th jubilee feast of St. Maria Church in Negombo, the Cardinal noted that four years have passed since the Easter Sunday attacks. “Yet, we have not been able to ascertain the truth. No leader has genuinely attempted to uncover it. We do not seek revenge or punishment but justice. It is our right to know the truth, and no political leader should be allowed to deny us that right,” he said.

He added that Pope Francis has expressed his solidarity with the victims’ families and urged Sri Lankan authorities to reveal the truth behind the attacks, which he believes will pave the way for peace.

Cardinal Ranjith mentioned that Pope Francis recently completed a 12-day apostolic journey to Asia and Oceania, visiting Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Singapore. “I had the opportunity to meet the Pope last week. He asked about the progress of the Easter Sunday investigations. I responded to the best of my ability. The Pope urged us not to abandon our quest for truth and justice for the victims of Easter Sunday. According to our discussions, the country is at a crucial juncture. We are set to shape our nation’s future on September 21. This date is significant, and we should remember what happened on April 21, 2019, when we go to vote,” the Cardinal said.