Terror victims receive special blessing by Pope’s delegate

• SLPA offers six-perch land to St. Anthony’s Church
• Plans to build soup kitchen and museum
• Sagala says not the time for No-Confidence Motions 

By Nuwan Senarathna

Victims of the Easter Sunday attacks were blessed by the representative of the Pope, Fernando Cardinal Filoni, yesterday at St. Anthony‘s Church, Kochchikade.

Family members of victims and faithful were allowed into a section of the church for the blessing before a statue of Saint Anthony. Cardinal Filoni blessed all the victims for a speedy recovery, and Sri Lanka to recover from the attack.

Prior to the blessing, the foundation stone was laid for the construction of a soup kitchen and a museum at the adjoining six-perch land, which was given to the church by the Sri Lanka Port Authority (SLPA), following a request made by Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith. The Sri Lanka Navy will carry out construction.

Following the blessing, Cardinal Filoni, along with Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith and Apostolic Nuncio Pierre Nguyen Van Tot, visited the church and inspected the renovation process. During the brief visit, Cardinal Filoni extended his gratitude for the Sri Lankan Navy personnel for steps taken to renovate the church.Cardinal Filoni also visited where the suicide attacker blew himself up and he also had a brief discussion with families of victims and share their experiences. 

Speaking to Navy personnel, Cardinal Filoni said “you are not just rebuilding the church, but also a church that is necessary for the people to live their lives. You are doing a noble job for the sake of God, and for the sake of the people. Thank you very much for what are you doing.”

Following the visit to the Church, Cardinal Filoni told media that they can convey the message of love to the people of Sri Lanka. “I brought the love of Pope Francis and cordiality to the people of Sri Lanka,” he added.Speaking to media, Ports and Shipping Minister Sagala Ratnayaka said the Government had taken measures to provide modern equipment to the security forces to increase national security. He noted everyone should unite to return the country to normalcy and develop the county.

“This is not the time to do politics. The Government should protect citizens and the Opposition should help the Government to that. I must say this is not the time to seek political advantages and bring a No-Confidence motion.”Housing, Construction and Cultural Affairs Minister Sajith Premadasa and Tourism Development Minister John Amaratunga were also present at the event. 

Pic by Shehan Gunasekara