Easter Attacks: Latest News

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen was ordered by Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage to be released from a case filed under the Prevention of Terrorist Act allegedly assisting the suicide bombers who carried out the 2019 April 21st Terror Attacks.The Magistrate made the order following the submissions made by the Attorney General who had pointed out that was insufficient evidence to file a case against the Ex-Minister under the PTA.Rishad Bathiudeen was arrested on the 24th of April and detained for 111 days for investigations and was later released on bail by the Fort Magistrate's Court."They fabricated the charges and ruined me and my community. They came to power accusing me and the entire Muslim community for the Easter Attacks.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Catholic Bishops’ Conference in Sri Lanka stated that as there is an attempt to hide the truth, exploit the massacre for political gain, it sees no option other than to seek international assistance to mete out justice to the victims of the Easter Sunday Bomb Attacks.Together with His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, the Archbishop of Colombo, the CBCSLreiterates the need to adopt the said option, it added in a statement. 

COLOMBO (News 1st); Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said that NO justice will be served for the victims of the 2019 April Terror Attacks under the present government.“I will never hesitate to impose the maximum punishment on all those responsible for the Easter Attacks, including the mastermind, by following an impartial and independent investigation,” said the Opposition Leader on Sunday (16).He noted that the people have started to raise concerns over the Easter Attacks, and the Government’s conduct and lethargic investigations have proven these concerns as well.“The Government that used the Easter Attacks to secure power, appears to have forgotten all about it,” he said.The Opposition Leader also speaking on the recent discovery of a grenade at a church, said those investigations too are taking place in a very concerning manner that raise serious doubts.“It is not good when the people start losing faith in the state, security forces and the police,” said Premadasa.“If His Eminence the Cardinal himself is saying that the Easter Attacks was used for political gains, the concerns that mounting over state leadership and security forces will lead to serious issues,” he added.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Head of Sri Lanka’s Catholic Church, His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, the Archbishop of Colombo claimed that certain political leaders, who were well aware of the 2019 Terror Attacks, used it for their political advantage.He reiterated that the 2019 April 21st Attacks or the Easter Attacks was a conspiracy.“The 2019 April Attacks may be over. But, today we can see that those in powerful places are attempting to put the entire blame on Muslim Extremists and cover up the truth.

COLOMBO (News 1st); What would you do if you were the President today?, was the question posed to Sri Lanka’s Former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Wednesday (12).Wickremesinghe is the Leader of the United National Party, the oldest political party in Sri Lanka, and the only MP in parliament from the UNP.“I am not the President. But, I know what should be done at this time,” said Wickremesinghe during the 10 Questions programs with News 1st.According to Wickremesinghe, Sri Lanka’s economy was stable in 2019 despite the Easter Attacks, and it was a matter of moving forward.He said suspending the imports of raw material to save reserves is a wrong move, adding SWAP agreements with other countries will not be successful.Wickremesinghe said the Trincomalee Oil Tanks could have been developed and Sri Lanka could have supplied fuel to the whole of South India.He said the Light rail transit (LRT), LNG programs, Central Expressway, MCC, and related programs could have boosted the reserves.“I would not anger India, China, Japan, USA, Europe, all at once,” pointed out Wickremesinghe.

COLOMBO (News 1st); His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, the Archbishop of Colombo has once again called for justice over the Easter attacks, during Christmas Mass held on Friday (24).During the service held at the Basilica of Our Lady of Lanka in Ragama, His Eminence noted that 260 people were killed in the Easter attacks, and questioned the purpose of taking away their lives.“What did they lose their lives for? Was it because of conflicts between religions? Religions are not meant to kill people. In fact, religions exist to keep people alive.