Columbus, Easter bombings: Sirisena shifts blame to own officials

The Catholic Church rejects the former head of state's claims. He stated that he did not commit any mistakes that later led to the 2019 attacks. In recent weeks, the Supreme Court had ordered him to pay compensation to victims.

Colombo (AsiaNews) - Yesterday morning, former Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, apologizing to the country's Catholic community after being ordered by the Supreme Court to pay compensation to the victims of the 2019 Easter attacks, made it clear that the court ruling does not state that he during his tenure as head of state made a mistake that led to the attacks.

He notes that the judges found him guilty because of the negligence of the officials he appointed. "That is why the court imposed a fine of 100 million rupees [about 250,000 euros] on me," the former president said. "I accepted it respectfully and am trying to pay it as I can, with the help of my loved ones," he added. 

In the terrorist raid, during which 269 people were killed and more than 500 injured, the bombers targeted several churches and some hotels with suicide attacks.

Today came the response from the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka: "Forgiveness is not a problem as Christians. But the problem is that we want to know the exact truth behind the Easter attacks. What was the purpose of these attacks and who exactly carried out this massacre to kill hundreds of innocent people," said Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando during a press conference at the Bishop's House in the capital. 

"We reject and oppose the statements of the former president," the priest continued.  "We believe there is a conspiracy behind the attacks, as stated by the attorney general. For the sake of the security of the people and the country, we must find out the truth."

On Sirisena's part, "to say that he was charged for the deeds done by his officials is misleading and are statements that distort the verdict of the Supreme Court, which is why we oppose his statements," stressed Fr. Gamini.

The spokesman went on to explain that "if the truth does not come out, we can expect more crimes like these from the authorities, who will try to gain and maintain power. Therefore, we must know the truth. That is our one and only main goal."