Don’t obstruct probe on Easter Sunday attacks – Fr. Cyril Gamini (Video)

2026-02-26 - 11:28

Director of Communications for the Archdiocese of Colombo – Rev. Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando has urged not to interfere with ongoing investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks. Speaking during a media briefing in Colombo today (Feb. 26), Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando stressed that any attempt to obstruct investigations would amount to a grave injustice to the victims. “This is a barbaric attack which killed nearly 300 people. The majority of them were persons who were attending Easter Sunday mass. There are victims from all religions and ethnic communities.This is a massacre,” he said.The attacks, carried out on April 21, 2019, targeted several locations including St. Anthony’s Shrine, St. Sebastian’s Church and hotels in Colombo. Fr. Gamini emphasized that uncovering the truth behind the attacks would mean that the rule of law is properly upheld in the country. Failure to do so, he warned, would send a dangerous message that perpetrators of serious crimes can evade justice without consequence. That is unacceptable, he added. He further stated that politicizing the investigations is unnecessary, noting that the probe is being conducted independently by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). Allowing investigators to carry out their duties without interference is vital, he emphasised. Any attempt to derail the investigations would be similar to committing another injustice against those who lost their lives or were injured in the bombings, he added. Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando called on the general public and all stakeholders to remain patient and allow the investigations to proceed independently, expressing confidence that meaningful results would emerge. He also underscored the need to determine whether there had been any political hand behind the attacks, who may have been responsible, and the motives behind carrying them out, insisting that the full truth must be revealed. (Video – ITN)