Catholic Church calls for action to prevent second carnage

By Norman Palihawadane

The Catholic Church yesterday called on the government Bodu Bala Sena General Secretary Ven. Galagodaatte Gnasara Thera’s recent claim that another carnage was being planned.

Addressing the media at the Bishop House in Colombo, Member of the church’s communications committee on the Easter Sunday Attacks, Rev. Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando said that a second extremist attack had to be prevented.

“We like to know whether such investigations are being carried out by the relevant institutions and whether anyone was arrested or whether any weapons have been recovered.” Fr. Fernando asked.

“Ven. Gnanasara revealed in a talk show telecast on Hiru channel on 13 September that he had information of a conspiracy to carry out a second extremist attack anytime.

The monk said he was even aware of the extremist group which was planning the attack and where it had hidden weapons. He said he had informed President Gotabaya Rajapaksa of it. “We understand the President is due to leave shortly on a state visit. We fear that this attack can be launched while he is away from the country like the last time when the Easter Sunday attack was carried out when Former President Maithripala Sirisena was out of the country. Therefore, we insist that investigations are carried out in order to prevent the attack,” Rev. Fr. Fernando said. “We thank Ven. Gnanasara for the disclosure he has made,” he said.