The leader of the Bodu Bala Sena, Ven. Galabodaaththe Gnanasara Thero says that he had prior informed to Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith in 2017 that “there would be an attack to the Catholic people on 2019 Easter Sunday” He stated this participating in a program ‘Salakuna’ on Hiru Rupavahini on the 13th.
The Catholic Church has denied the allegations and responsibly states that until the end of the Easter attack, neither the security forces nor the intelligence services, nor the police, nor Gnanasara Thera, nor anyone else had informed to Rev. Malcolm Ranjith that there was a risk of such an attack on the Catholic people.
They said that during a meeting between Ven. Gnanasara Thera and the Cardinal in 2017, only facts were presented regarding Muslim expansionism.
When the Catholic Church strongly criticized the investigations into the Easter attack, Bodu Bala Sena chief Galabodaaththe Gnanasara Thera, who was silent for a while, suddenly appears in front of the media and appears to be defending the Rajapaksa government and criticizing the Catholic Church.
Weapons are ready
Gnanasara Thera, who joined the TV program, added that “there is a possibility of another extremist attack like the Easter attack at any time, and weapons are ready to be detonated at any time.” a day after protests by Sri Lankans across Europe demanding that Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa reveal the mastermind of the Easter attack during his visit to Italy.
It was revealed that the BBS leader knew about the Easter bombing earlier. The Catholic Church is investigating whether the information was passed on to government security forces.
Gnanasara Thera further revealed that information and evidence regarding the attack, the identity of the group involved in the attack and their whereabouts have been forwarded to the President.
Although the President has been informed of the attack mentioned by Ven. There was no word on whether those responsible had taken the necessary steps to prevent the attacks, or what action had been taken against the groups involved in the attack, ”the Catholic Fathers told to the media.
Based on the revelations made by Bhikkhu Gnanasara, the Catholic Fathers urge the IGP to pay due attention to this matter, conduct an impartial and comprehensive investigation, and take all necessary steps to prevent such attacks based on the information revealed by the investigations and arrest those involved in such attacks as soon as possible.
Jude Krishantha Fernando, Director of the Archdiocesan Mass Communication Center, Dr. Camillus Fernando, Media Spokesman of the Archdiocese’s Communication Center, and members of the National Committee of Catholic Prisoners on Easter Sunday were present at the press conference held at the Archbishop’s official residence in Colombo on the 16th.