The National Catholic Committee for Justice to Easter Sunday Attack Victims has expressed that it does not seem like the President and his government, who assumed power through the Aragalaya, have genuinely endeavored to conduct an impartial and transparent investigation into the Easter Sunday attacks.
The National Catholic Committee for Justice to Easter Sunday Attack Victims on October 9 had directed a letter to the President, requesting a fair, independent, and transparent investigation into the Easter Sunday attacks.
This committee includes prominent figures such as His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, the Archbishop of Colombo, along with Bishops of Kurunegala, Kandy, Galle, and three Assistant Bishops of Colombo.
Additionally, the committee comprises several judicial and regional religious leaders, as well as prominent legal figures such as Rienzie Arsecularatne, Neville Abeyratne, and Shamil Perera.
The letter addressed to the President bears the signatures of all these individuals.
In the letter, the committee emphasizes that if the President genuinely seeks justice for the victims, he should rectify unfair transfers within the Criminal Investigation Department and resume investigations from where they left off.
They contend that the current actions are shielding criminals and suppressing the larger conspiracy behind this tragic event.
Rev. Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando told reporters that over 20 officers of the Criminal Investigation Department were transferred to various parts of Sri Lanka, and following these reassignments, no suspects have been apprehended or brought to court in connection with the Easter Sunday attacks.
He said, “We firmly believe and assert that this represents a malicious endeavor to obstruct a thorough investigation into the Easter attacks, conceal the truth, and shield those responsible for this atrocity.”
He said that the National Catholic Committee for Justice to Easter Sunday Attack Victims views it as an effort to conceal the facts behind this tragic event.
The National Catholic Committee for Justice to Easter Sunday Attack Victims highlighted several critical issues in their letter to the President.
These concerns have emerged after a careful examination of documents, including the presidential commission report on the Easter attacks and former CID director Shani Abeysekera’s fundamental rights petition.
One significant point is the involvement of the FBI, which provided an IP address linked to frequent communication with Zaharan.
However, the Ministry of Public Security, under the Director of Military Intelligence at the time, hindered questioning when the person was arrested.
They also raised the issue of a person known as Sonic Sonic, who had contact with Zaharan, revealed to be a police inspector named Bandara.
This officer allegedly forced ISIS, through Podi Zaharan, to claim responsibility for the attack.
Another concern pertains to an individual code-named Abuhind, closely associated with Zaharan.
Investigations revealed that Abuhind was not an organization but an individual from a neighboring country.
Hadiya, Zaharan’s wife, disclosed in her testimony to the Presidential Commission that Zaharan conversed with Abuhind over the phone from India, speaking in a Dravidian language since 2018.
The letter also mentions Jameel, the attacker in Dehiwala, who received a phone call before the attack. Military intelligence had prior knowledge of his connection to the National Tawheed Jamaat but did not share this information with the CID.
The DNA tests were conducted on the wife of the perpetrators of the St. Sebastian’s Church attack.
The National Catholic Committee for Justice to Easter Sunday Attack Victims has included several proposals in their letter to the President regarding the revelations brought to light by the Channel 4 report program on these matters.
Rev. Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando said, “We have absolutely no confidence that a parliamentary select committee appointed by the parliament or a committee led by a retired judge appointed by the President will conduct these investigations impartially and honestly.”
He added, “Most of the recommendations put forth by the Presidential Investigation Commission have not been implemented. Therefore, we call upon the President to take immediate action to implement all these recommendations.”