January 31, 2023, Colombo: Speaking to reporters in Colombo, Former President Mithripala Srisena asked for forgiveness for such a tragedy taking place during his tenure, adding that he was unaware beforehand of the attacks.
“The ruling does not say that I have committed an offence, but that the President is also accountable for the offences committed by the officers appointed by the President. That is my connection to the case,” he further explained.
National Director Communications Archdiocese of Colombo Fr. Jude Chryshantha Fernando said that the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka would not accept the apology from former President Maithripala Sirisena on the shortcomings in preventing the Easter Sunday bomb attacks.
Speaking to the media, Fr. Fernando said the Former President would have to go to jail for failing to prevent the attack.
“Former President Sirisena has said there were bomb explosions all over the nation during the war, and no probe has been carried out on those terror attacks. He should remember that prior warnings have been issued on the Easter Sunday bombings. Places where the attacks would take place were also known. Therefore, President Sirisena cannot get away from the responsibility,” Fr. Fernando said.
“Former President Sirisena has also said Catholics of Sri Lanka will forgive him and welcome him. We, therefore, request him to go among the Catholics in Kochcikade and Negombo and prove that he is welcomed. Also, he has said he pleads for forgiveness on behalf of God. Is he God’s representative to make such a statement?” he added.
