Colombo, Easter attacks: Card. Ranjith criticises appointment of the new police chief

Nilantha Jayawardene is accused by the local church of failing to act to prevent the 2019 terrorist attacks on three churches. He had received intelligence about the possibility of an attack three weeks earlier. The archbishop's message was conveyed during a press conference yesterday.

Colombo (AsiaNews) - Following news of the appointment of Nilantha Jayawardene as police chief, "the Archbishop of Colombo, Card. Malcolm Ranjith, declares that the current government is undermining the rule of law in Sri Lanka and that the plot behind the Easter attack has been covered up".

These were the words used by Fr Cyril Gamini Fernando in conveying the Archbishop's statement during a press conference at the Archbishop's House yesterday. 

Jayawardena is accused of failing to take necessary measures to prevent the 2019 Easter attacks on three churches and four hotels in which more than 250 people died and nearly 500 were injured. Recently there has been growing speculation about his possible appointment by President Ranil Wickremesinghe. 

Reading the archbishop's statement, Fr Gamini pointed out that the granting of privileges to Jayawardene is intended to prevent the truth about the attacks from being revealed: 'Jayawardene received the first information about the possibility of a terrorist attack from an Indian intelligence colleague on 4 April 2019,' three weeks before when the blasts occurred.

"The Commission of Inquiry is of the opinion that the then Deputy Inspector General of Police bears malicious responsibility and recommends that the Attorney General consider initiating criminal proceedings against Jayawardene under the provisions of the Criminal Code. It is clear that he is responsible for the lives of about 270 innocent people," said Fr Gamini.

According to Card. Ranjith, 'it is clear that President Wickremesinghe is also performing a shameful act by covering up the facts behind the Easter attack and protecting the criminals,' reported Fr. Cyril Gamini.

• sri lanka
• colombo
• easter attacks
• terrorist attack
• government
• appointment
• police
• inspector general
• nilantha jayawardena
• cardinal malcolm ranjith