Cardinal sees political hand behind Easter Sunday terror attacks

Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith yesterday paying floral tribute to some of the victims of Easter Sunday attack who are buried at the Madampe Cemetery, where a monument built in memory of them was opened by him. More than 250 people were killed in the Easter Sunday attacks in 2019 – Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

• Says religious extremism used as cover by certain groups to carry out terror attacks
• Asks all Lankans to desist from using race, religion, or language to harm others

Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith alleged yesterday that it was not religious extremism which resulted in the Easter Sunday attacks but the work of certain groups who used religious extremism as a cover to strengthen their political power.

“Our brethren were not attacked by religious extremism, but it was done by those who used religious extremism as a cat’s paw to strengthen their political power. We don’t see a religious euphoria or a love for religion in this but an attempt by certain groups to strengthen their powers,” the Cardinal said while opening a memorial for nine terror attacks victims buried at the General Cemetery, Borella.

Nearly 250 were killed in the suicide bombs attacks. The Cardinal also participated in a similar ceremony at the Madampitiya cemetery where around 14 victims were buried. 

The Cardinal did not give any indication who he was hinting at by the comments but appealed to all Sri Lankans not to use race, religion, or language to overpower others or use one’s strength to kill or harm opponents warning it will lead the country into a calamity. 

The head of the Roman Catholic church in Sri Lanka, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith (left) speaks with people at a memorial in the main cemetery in Colombo yesterday, after he opened monuments to commemorate the 279 people killed in the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks – AFP