President Must Fulfil His Promise: Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith
22-Apr-2026.
A dangerous trend has been observed in Sri Lanka over several decades where murders, disappearances, and political assassinations are gradually buried over time without proper investigation. This national tragedy, which began in the 1970s, continues even today. Such a situation must not be allowed to happen in the case of those killed in the Easter Sunday attacks, stated Archbishop Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith.
He noted that the current government has adopted a favourable approach regarding the matter. However, he claimed that certain officials are attempting to obstruct investigations, and emphasised that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake must fulfil the promise he made.
He made these remarks during the special prayer service and commemoration held at St. Anthony’s Shrine in Kochchikade, Colombo, marking seven years since the Easter Sunday attacks on April 21.
Continuing his address, he said:
We know that the devastating attacks carried out on April 21, 2019 claimed 278 lives and left over 500 people seriously injured. The incident had a severe impact on Sri Lanka’s economy and also gravely damaged the reconciliation and unity slowly built among different religions and ethnicities after three decades of war.
The seven bomb explosions carried out at St. Anthony’s Shrine in Kochchikade, St. Sebastian’s Church in Katuwapitiya, Zion Church in Batticaloa, and the Cinnamon Grand, Shangri-La, Kingsbury and Tropical Inn hotels in Colombo claimed innocent worshippers, tourists and hotel staff. We must remember that among the dead were 68 children and 45 foreign tourists from 14 countries.
It became clear that these attacks were aimed at reigniting ethnic and religious conflict in the country. However, due to the appeals for peace made by religious leaders, attempts to trigger riots failed. Subsequently, conspirators incited planned violence against the Muslim community in Negombo on May 5, and later between May 11 and 13 from Nathandiya-Madampe through Kottaramulla up to Minuwangoda. Muslim homes were stoned and businesses were burned, resulting in the death of a Muslim citizen.
The final report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the Easter attacks details these incitement incidents and states that some police and security officials failed to control the violence. Investigations must be conducted to identify who organised these riots, as they may be linked to the April 21 attacks. It must also be determined whether anyone within the security sector obstructed efforts to control the violence.
We, who organise this commemoration, ask those in power to conduct a deep and serious investigation into these attacks and reveal who was truly behind them. Sri Lanka has long faced a dangerous pattern where murders, disappearances and political killings are buried without proper inquiry. This national tragedy that began in the 1970s continues to haunt us.
Due to political interference, the rule of law has weakened. Within a culture of corruption, hiding truth and spreading lies has become routine. Social discipline is deteriorating, and respect for human life and dignity is declining. It is deeply concerning that political leaders use security personnel for unlawful activities.
In such a situation, it has become extremely difficult to seek the truth behind recent violence and terrorist acts. Political interference and misinformation prevent the truth from emerging. Why do certain individuals obstruct or mislead investigations? Is it because they fear the truth will expose them?
Several key issues highlighted in the Commission’s report have still not been fully investigated. The families of victims continue to live in grief and pain, asking when the truth will come out. Only the first volume of the Commission’s report has been released, while other volumes remain classified. This secrecy causes us great distress.
Because the victims were Catholics and the attack occurred in our churches on our sacred day, knowing the truth is our fundamental right. Since 2019, the rulers, police leadership and officials of the Attorney General’s Department have attempted to confuse the public and hide the truth rather than reveal it.
The present government that came to power in 2024 has adopted a favourable approach. However, certain officials are attempting to block investigations. The information revealed by Channel 4 must be investigated. No one is above the law simply because they hold office or once served the nation. Whoever committed wrongdoing must be punished. If an official is involved in criminal activity, they must be brought before the law. Interpreting such action as betrayal of the country is incorrect.
When the President visited St. Sebastian’s Church in Katuwapitiya on October 6, 2024, he pledged that he would not allow the truth to be buried over time. We urge him to fulfil that promise and carry out a full and transparent investigation to expose the truth behind this inhuman massacre. Our struggle will continue until justice is delivered.
