Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith yesterday slammed President Ranil Wickremesinghe over the attack on innocent civilians yesterday and warned the latter will be held responsible for any resultant reprisals and future disasters.

Cardinal described that it was an unprovoked attack on unarmed protesters and civilians.

“We are very sorry and totally condemn this high-handed act of the President Ranil Wickremesinghe even before 24 hours had passed after his swearing in,” he said.

“The President promised to protect the Constitution in his oath. Attacking people who were exercising their basic democratic right non-violently is completely contradictory to what he has publicly announced. 

“He has to safeguard the dignity of the people and freedom of expression and protest. We hold the President responsible for any future disaster that might happen as a result of this attack,” Cardinal warned.

He recalled that it was due to the Aragalaya of ordinary people that Wickremesinghe got the opportunity to be Prime Minister first and later President and attacking the very people is like kicking the ladder after a person has reached the top.

“People are suffering immensely due to shortage of essentials and instead of attacking them the President should resolve their grievances,” the Cardinal stressed.

He also said attacking media including foreign journalists will discredit Sri Lanka overseas and undermine international community support to Sri Lanka.

He urged for an independent inquiry and to take action against those responsible. “If the Government doesn’t do it, we call upon the international community and institutions to investigate and safeguard democratic rights of people of Sri Lanka,” Cardinal added.

He also expressed regret that Wickremesinghe became the President only by the vote of MPs and not the people and that the Parliament vote didn’t reflect the will of the majority of the people. 

World raps SL Govt. for brutal  attack on peaceful protesters