Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has issued a rebuttal to allegations made by Malcom Cardinal Ranjith regarding the Easter Sunday attacks. The cardinal accused Rajapaksa of various missteps and intentional delays in handling the aftermath of the tragic event. However, Rajapaksa vehemently denied these accusations, providing detailed responses to each claim.
In response to Cardinal Ranjith’s allegations, Rajapaksa denied ever speaking to the Cardinal over the phone after the Presidential Commission report was submitted to him, refuting claims that he expressed difficulties in implementing the recommendations due to potential repercussions for his allies. He emphasized that the Muslim community did not support his candidacy, making any notion of alliances with implicated organizations implausible.
Regarding the delay in providing the Cardinal with the report, Rajapaksa clarified that the report was promptly handed over to the Speaker of Parliament on February 23, 2021, and subsequently distributed to religious leaders, including the Cardinal, by March 1, 2021. He asserted that there was no intentional delay in sharing the report.
Rajapaksa defended the formation of a six-member Cabinet Sub-committee to prioritize and implement recommendations, stating that such actions are standard practice in government procedures and necessary for effective administration.
Addressing the transfer of CID officers, Rajapaksa explained that the decision was made by the Police Commission, not by him, and was based on recommendations from the Inspector General of Police. He emphasized that the actions taken against the CID Director were unrelated to the Easter Sunday attacks but rather stemmed from separate investigations into misconduct.
Furthermore, Rajapaksa highlighted the failures of law enforcement agencies, including the CID, in preventing the Easter Sunday attacks despite prior investigations into the perpetrators. He emphasized that the responsibility for bringing criminals to justice lies with the police, the Attorney General’s Department, and the courts, not politicians.
Rajapaksa concluded by accusing Cardinal Ranjith of overlooking the failures of law enforcement agencies while unfairly targeting him for criticism. He urged the public to recognize the complexities of the situation and to hold all relevant parties accountable for their roles in the Easter Sunday attacks.
