Spokesperson of the Archdiocese of Colombo, Rev. Father Cyril Gamini Fernando, has requested that attempts not be made to obstruct the investigations related to the 2019 Easter Sunday terrorist attack.

Addressing a special media briefing held today (26 Feb), Rev. Father Cyril Gamini Fernando said that the arrest of former State Intelligence Service Chief, retired Major General Suresh Sallay, was the outcome of investigations into the terror attacks. 

“Investigations into the attacks were completely halted during former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s tenure. During the Presidency of Ranil Wickremesinghe, too, the investigations did not proceed. The catholic church has always called for investigations to find those responsible for the attacks and bring them before the law to ensure justice for the victims and their families,” he said. 

Rev. Father Cyril Gamini Fernando further said that investigations into the Easter Attacks were conducted in a proper manner only after the current government assumed power. 

“In the last 16 months, from November 2024 to date, the CID has been conducting a comprehensive and independent investigation into the Easter attacks. Fresh investigations commenced following the broadcast by Channel 4 on the conspiracy behind the Easter attacks, and based on information revealed by the former secretary of former Parliamentarian Pillayan. One outcome of the probe based on this information is the arrest of Suresh Sallay. We believe there was sufficient evidence for his arrest. He is only a suspect at present. The court will decide if he is at fault or not,” he said. 

Rev. Father Cyril Gamini Fernando noted that there was no need to make statements and give various interpretations to such arrests, and that there was no need to politicize them.

“This is an independent investigation carried out by the CID. Allowing these investigations to be conducted independently is what is good. Otherwise, attempts to disrupt these investigations are seen as an injustice done to the victims who were killed and injured in this attack. Therefore, we request everyone not to obstruct these investigations. These investigations must go forward. We believe that some results will come from these investigations. Therefore, we kindly request that these investigations be allowed to proceed and that people wait patiently,” he added. (Newswire)

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Director of Communications for the Archdiocese of Colombo, Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando, today said the Colombo Archdiocese was against capital punishment, responding to a recent remark linked to former State Intelligence Service (SIS) chief SDIG Nilantha Jayawardena.

Addressing the media, Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando said recent reports claim that the Director of Mass Communications of the Catholic Church of Sri Lanka, Fr. Jude Krishantha, had stated that it was his opinion that SDIG Nilantha Jayawardene should be issued the death sentence.

Responding to the claims, Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando clarified that the Colombo Archdiocese was against capital punishment, and that Fr. Jude Krishantha’s comment was not the opinion of the Catholic Church. 

He said the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the Easter attacks has recommended initiating action against Nilantha Jayawardena, and that the Colombo Archdiocese expects all recommendations to be implemented. 

Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando also said that the Colombo Archdiocese, however, is grateful for the decision to dismiss Nilantha Jayawardena from the Police service over allegations of dereliction of duty related to the Easter attacks.

Director of Communications for the Archdiocese of Colombo, Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando, made the remarks while addressing the media today (21). (Newswire)

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The Colombo Archdiocese has refuted claims that the Archbishop of Colombo had requested the reinstatement of former Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Director Shani Abeysekera and Retired Senior DIG Ravi Seneviratne to head the investigations by the current government into the 2019 Easter attacks.

Leader of the House, Minister Bimal Rathnayake, recently said in Parliament that Shani Abeysekera and Ravi Seneviratne were brought into the Police Force on the request of Archbishop, His Eminence, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith. 

Refuting the claims, Director of Communications for the Archdiocese of Colombo, Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando, told the media that no such request had been made from the President or any person by the Archbishop or the Colombo Archdiocese. 

Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando said that the team probing the Easter attacks was changed following the election of Gotabaya Rajapaksa as President.

“During this change, Ravi Seneviratne retired, and Shani Abeysekara was arrested and remanded. The original team was completely changed and transferred. The probe into the Easter attacks stalled because of this,” he said. 

Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando clarified that a request was only made by the Colombo Archdiocese to include the previously transferred officers of the CID, who were involved in the initial probe, to the teams that are continuing the investigations into the Easter attacks. 

Pointing out that it is now evident that Shani Abeysekara was among those officers, Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando said, however, no request was made by specifically naming any individual, including Shani Abeysekara or Ravi Seneviratne. 

Director of Communications for the Archdiocese of Colombo, Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando, made the remarks while addressing the media today (21). (Newswire)

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