Archdiocese of Colombo responds to claims by Gnanasara of another extremist attack

Saturday, 18 September 2021 01:33 -     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Archdiocese of Colombo has responded to several statements made by Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thero of the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) during a recent Hiru TV ‘Salakuna’ show on 13 September.

Issuing a statement, the Archdiocese of Colombo drew attention to several very important points made by Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thero participating in the political dialogue program, that there could be another attack similar to the Easter Sunday attack in Sri Lanka.

During the program, Gnanasara Thero has stated that

1)There is a possibility of a deadly extremist attack similar to the Easter attack;

2)There is potential to strike at any time, and that weapons are ready to be detonated at any time;

3)He has information and evidence about the attack and that he has the ability to prove it;

4)He knows who the groups involved in the attack are and where those groups are and

5)The President has also been informed of all these matters.

The statement made by Ven. Gnanasara Thera cannot be taken lightly as it directly affects the national security of the country and the security of the people, the Archdiocese said.

“Furthermore, we strongly believe that this revelation by a monk like Ven. Gnanasara Thero, appearing live on a reputable electronic media channel in the country, is a very responsible statement by him.”

Therefore, the Archdiocese has called for an inquiry to be conducted on the Thero’s statements that there could be another attack in Sri Lanka.

Responding to previous claims by Gnanasara Thero stating that he had briefed the Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith on a possible attack on Catholics prior to the 2019 Easter attacks, the Archdiocese of Colombo denied such claims.

The Archdiocese of Colombo said Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thero had not warned His Eminence, Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith of any such possible attack.

“I totally reject the statement made by the venerable Thera that he had informed the Cardinal that there would be an attack against the Catholics in the future,” Rev. Fr. Camillus Fernando said.

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