COLOMBO (UCAN): Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith of Colombo, Sri Lanka, accused influential government figures of being behind the planting of a hand grenade in All Saints Church in Borella two years ago, which was found just days before a commemorative event to mark the deadly 2019 Easter Sunday bombings [Sunday Examiner, 28 April 2019].
“…Fortunately, the live grenade did not explode that day,” Cardinal Ranjith said.
The cardinal was speaking at a Mass at the same church on January 14, adding that the one who planted the device two years ago was “a government supporter,” and that “strongmen sent him.”
He said the aim was to “intimidate” the Church in its struggle for justice for the victims of the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attack that claimed the lives of 275 people and left more than 500 injured after simultaneous bombings hit three churches and three luxury hotels.
The cardinal asserted that the grenade was a warning to Catholics against holding a 1,000th day commemorative rally three days later. He said the person who planted the grenade was clearly visible on CCTV footage.
“We still have the question: why has this man not been arrested when his face is clearly on the CCTV footage? There has been no investigation against him,” he said.
Cardinal Ranjith called on Deshabandu Tenakoon, acting inspector general of Police, to conduct a proper investigation into the incident.
The cardinal and civil society groups had previously objected to Tenakoon’s promotion to top policeman in the country, alleging he had a role in the Easter Sunday terror attack.
“If the elections are held, we will have an opportunity to decide whether these corrupt politicians will continue to rule the country or whether someone new will be entrusted with the responsibility of taking the country forward,” Cardinal Ranjith said.
During a recent debate in parliament, acting president, Ranil Wickremesinghe, announced that presidential and parliamentary polls in the financially battered island nation would take place at the end of the year.
After the Mass, the congregation conducted a silent protest outside with placards saying, “Where is justice?”
