The Christian community in Sri Lanka remains hopeful following President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s recent assurance that the group behind the 2019 Easter Sunday terrorist attacks will be identified before April 21. This confidence was expressed by Father Cyril Gamini, the Media Spokesperson for His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith.
Father Cyril Gamini stated that, as per the President’s remarks, it is expected that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) will disclose the identities of those responsible before the upcoming anniversary of the attack. He noted that such a development would mark a very positive trend in the long-standing pursuit of justice.
“We have always hoped for the truth behind the Easter attacks to be uncovered,” Father Cyril Gamini said. “Former Attorney General Dappula de Livera previously stated that there was a grand conspiracy behind this incident. When you examine the reports of both the Presidential Commission and the Parliamentary Select Committees, it becomes clear that a deeper conspiracy is involved. This calls for a dedicated and focused investigation.”
He emphasized that since the release of those reports, additional information has emerged, further highlighting the need for thorough inquiries. “There are vague and obscure areas within the Presidential Commission report. Even the report itself recommends that some aspects be further investigated. These matters must be properly addressed,” he added.
Reflecting on the six years that have passed since the Easter Sunday bombings, Father Cyril Gamini expressed frustration over the stagnation of investigations. “For over five years, these investigations did not progress in any way. In fact, they came to a complete halt during the tenure of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. CID officials were transferred, some were remanded, cases were filed, and the investigations simply stopped.”
However, he acknowledged a shift under the current administration. “Since the present government took office, the investigations have been restarted. Although only six months have passed, the renewed efforts have been far more substantial than in the previous five years. Even the Channel 4 revelations have been re-examined. We recognize that these inquiries are being conducted more seriously and systematically now.”
Father Cyril Gamini cautioned that while progress is being made, the process cannot be rushed. “We are not expecting miracles overnight. But it is essential that the investigations continue uninterrupted until the full truth is revealed. This isn’t just about justice for the victims and their families—it is a national issue. We need to know why such a horrific massacre took place and who was really behind it.”
He concluded by underlining the importance of accountability and the rule of law: “If a crime has been committed, it must be fully exposed, and the perpetrators must be brought to justice. That is how you establish the rule of law in a society. If this happens, respect for the law will be restored—and that’s what we need.”
