A Church body has urged candidates in Sri Lanka’s presidential election to ensure justice for victims of the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks. Source: UCA News.
The Centre for Society and Religion, a Church-run institution, has submitted a list of proposals to the presidential candidates, including “legal action against all officials and politicians involved in altering investigative information, suppressing evidence, and retaliating against whistleblowers”.
“An independent, fully empowered commission with impartial judges and experts is now essential,” the CSR research team said on Monday.
It further demanded that all evidence gathered so far be made public and a dedicated investigation be carried out to unravel the truth.
The 2019 Easter Sunday attacks by nine suicide bombers, allegedly from the Islamist group National Thowheed Jamath, targeted three churches and three luxury hotels, killing at least 279 people, including 37 foreigners.
The victims and their families are now hoping for the winner among 38 candidates in the presidential election to be held on September 21 to deliver justice to them.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe is contesting as an independent candidate.
The Catholic Church and human rights defenders have accused successive governments of exploiting the tragedy for political gains.
The Church has over the years expressed dissatisfaction with the investigations.
The Kurunegala Lay Apostolate, in its September 15 statement, expressed concern that time was running out with no justice in sight for the victims now, over five years since the bombings.
“Use your vote to elect a dedicated and selfless leader who can usher in a new era for the country with an honest conscience,” the statement appealed to the voters.
The Australia Sri Lanka Justice Forum for Easter Victims urged the voters to carefully study the manifestos and to use their valuable votes wisely to bring about meaningful change in the country.
FULL STORY
Church, rights groups seek justice for Easter attack victims (UCA News)
