Residents in Kalmunai staged a protest calling for justice to be meted out to the victims and survivors of the terror attacks on Easter Sunday. They also called for an investigation to be carried out without further delay.
A vigil was held in the evening under the leadership of Reverend Pastor Kirubairaja. The protestors held placards demanding justice for the victims of the attack. The protestors said that it has been five years since the attacks and the perpetrators of the attacks are yet to be brought to book.
On Easter Sunday, Sri Lanka marked the fourth anniversary of the deadly Easter bombings with memorial services held across the Nort-East. The bombings, which occurred on April 21st, 2019, claimed the lives of 268 people and injured more than 500 others. The attacks were carried out by a local extremist group and targeted churches and luxury hotels.
It is important to note that heavy security measures were in place for all the events. There have been no breakthroughs in the investigation and prosecution of those responsible for the attacks and the victims and their families continue to seek closure and healing. The bombings remain a tragic reminder of the need for interfaith understanding and cooperation in the country.
The Zion Church, which saw 33 people lose their lives in the bombings, including 14 children is yet to be refurbished; no support has been granted by the government for the recovery of the building or the victims. The fifith anniversary of the bombings was a solemn reminder that the country still has a long way to go in recovering from the devastating attacks.
Mannar Diocese Bishop Emmanuel Fernando Andagai told devotees in his Easter message,"If we want to find a permanent solution to the sufferings endured by our people, we need a significant change in our governance,"
"Even though it has been exactly 5 years since the terror attacks in this country, despite the various committees appointed by the government to investigate the masterminds behind these attacks, we still do not know the truth," he said.
He told the gathering that Easter Sunday is being commemorated among many hardships this year as the country reels and recovers from an economic crisis. He also addressed the political situation adding that the issues faced by people have not been alleviated. “Our homeland has never experienced a difficult situation as this. If we want a permanent solution to the sufferings endured by people, we need a significant change in our governance system. It is the responsibility of every citizen to strive for that.”
The bishop’s message comes just days after former President Maithripala Sirisena shockingly claimed to know the perpetrators behind the deadly Easter Sunday attacks that killed more than 250 people, almost five years since the bombings.
“No one knows who is behind these attacks, but I do,” Sirisena told reporters in Kandy. “I am willing to disclose this information before a court of law, but I also ask that this information be kept strictly confidential.” Following the damning revelations, Sirisena was called to the Criminal Investigation Department where a statement was recorded from him for over five hours.
The shocking revelations are in stark contrast to the statements Sirisena had made before, having previously claimed that he had not received prior warning of the attack and could not be held responsible for it.
