No reason to halt Easter Sunday Attack investigations, says Catholic Church

The Catholic Church in Sri Lanka has called for ongoing investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday terrorist attacks to continue without interruption, stressing that no political influence should be allowed to hinder the search for the truth.

Addressing a media briefing at the Archbishop’s House in Colombo, the Spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Colombo, Rev. Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando said that former head of the State Intelligence Service Major General (Retired) Suresh Sallay had previously sought an out-of-court settlement in a defamation case filed against him. However, Rev. Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando said he rejected the proposal.

The Spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Colombo revealed that following the first hearing of the case, Major General Sallay approached him at the courthouse and stated that the lawsuit had been filed to protect his reputation rather than to cause personal difficulties.

According to the Rev. Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando, Suresh Sallay suggested that the matter could be settled amicably.

The Spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Colombo said he asked what conditions would be required for a settlement, to which Suresh Sallay reportedly requested that references to his name be removed from statements made by Rev. Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando. The Spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Colombo said he declined the request, maintaining that he stood by his previous remarks and continued to believe they were accurate.

Rev. Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando emphasized that the ongoing investigations and Suresh Sallay’s civil lawsuit are separate matters. He rejected claims circulating on social media that recent developments involving Suresh Sallay were intended to influence or undermine the defamation proceedings.

Highlighting the broader significance of the Easter Sunday investigations, Rev. Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando said questions remain over whether a wider conspiracy existed behind the suicide bombings and who may have planned or orchestrated the attacks.

He stressed that uncovering the full truth is a fundamental right of the victims and their families and called on all political parties and politicians to refrain from interfering in the investigative process.

“No political party or politician should interfere in these investigations in any way. Under no circumstances should these investigations be allowed to stop,” Rev. Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando said.