Exactly two years after the bloody Easter Sunday carnage, which not only destroyed people’s bodies but also shattered their hearts and souls, Sri Lankans still remain traumatised by the attacks, and justice for those affected by the attacks is nowhere in sight.
Due to the nature and the alleged motives of the Easter Sunday attacks, concerns were raised as to whether it was a solitary act of a group of local religious extremists or a co-ordinated attack that had the influence or involvement of the Islamic State (IS). Even though some in high positions later denied any direct involvement of a foreign group, some of the matters revealed at the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the Easter Sunday terror attacks suggests that the attacks had the influence of the IS ideologies and practices. In addition, how the group of attackers received monetary assistance and whether it was from foreign countries and/or groups, is still under discussion.
Regardless of what has been officially revealed and announced by the authorities, it is not a secret that the IS as well as its ideologies and practices have become a burden to the world, as they have led to numerous attacks in various parts of the world.
However, unlike the international community’s response to similar attacks led by the IS or influenced by IS ideologies, when it comes to the Easter Sunday attacks, the international community seems to be maintaining a deafening silence. Apart from the warnings by India prior to the Easter Sunday attacks, the only internationally significant incident that took place concerning the attacks was the US Department of Justice charging three Sri Lankan nationals with terrorism offences for their alleged involvement with the group that carried out the attacks.
In a context where Sri Lanka has faced many challenges in the recent past due to human rights-related matters, of which some were clearly domestic matters, the international community’s silence regarding an attack that is most likely to have the influence or involvement of an international terror outfit, is problematic.
Why is there this silence? What is this silence? Well, it can be inferred that the international community remains silent about the investigations into the Easter Sunday attacks because they do not find any strategic importance in the matter. Unlike the war between the State and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), which led to countless allegations by many parties including the Tamil Diaspora, there seems be no one to pressure the international community to extend any support to Sri Lanka, and it is unfortunate. What is more unfortunate is the fact that, had the first international-level assistance, i.e. intelligence about the attacks, been properly taken into consideration, Sri Lanka would not be in this position today.
Also, it is the layman’s understanding that having a certain backing from the international community, especially when it comes to expediting or streamlining the investigations into the Easter Sunday attacks, would be of great importance, as the justice-seeking people’s patience is only going to wear thin with time.
Amidst myriad allegations, probes, and debates that are still continuing without significant outcome, as well as the fact that the Government’s enthusiasm that was at its peak before the presidential and general elections seems to have slowly ebbed away, the people, especially the country’s Catholic community, are wondering whether the deaths of hundreds of innocent people is not a good reason for more attention and action, both locally and internationally.
Colombo Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith has requested Sri Lankans to maintain a two-minute silence as the country commemorates the two-year anniversary of the Easter Sunday attacks today (21), while the international community’s silence continues indefinitely. However, silence, both literally and metaphorically, is no longer an option, and it is time that Sri Lanka quit resorting to blame games and prayers, and so too does the international community, by resorting to decisive and lawful interventions.World observing two years of silence
21 Apr 2021
World observing two years of silence
21 Apr 2021
Exactly two years after the bloody Easter Sunday carnage, which not only destroyed people’s bodies but also shattered their hearts and souls, Sri Lankans still remain traumatised by the attacks, and justice for those affected by the attacks is nowhere in sight.
Due to the nature and the alleged motives of the Easter Sunday attacks, concerns were raised as to whether it was a solitary act of a group of local religious extremists or a co-ordinated attack that had the influence or involvement of the Islamic State (IS). Even though some in high positions later denied any direct involvement of a foreign group, some of the matters revealed at the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the Easter Sunday terror attacks suggests that the attacks had the influence of the IS ideologies and practices. In addition, how the group of attackers received monetary assistance and whether it was from foreign countries and/or groups, is still under discussion.
Regardless of what has been officially revealed and announced by the authorities, it is not a secret that the IS as well as its ideologies and practices have become a burden to the world, as they have led to numerous attacks in various parts of the world.
However, unlike the international community’s response to similar attacks led by the IS or influenced by IS ideologies, when it comes to the Easter Sunday attacks, the international community seems to be maintaining a deafening silence. Apart from the warnings by India prior to the Easter Sunday attacks, the only internationally significant incident that took place concerning the attacks was the US Department of Justice charging three Sri Lankan nationals with terrorism offences for their alleged involvement with the group that carried out the attacks.
In a context where Sri Lanka has faced many challenges in the recent past due to human rights-related matters, of which some were clearly domestic matters, the international community’s silence regarding an attack that is most likely to have the influence or involvement of an international terror outfit, is problematic.
Why is there this silence? What is this silence? Well, it can be inferred that the international community remains silent about the investigations into the Easter Sunday attacks because they do not find any strategic importance in the matter. Unlike the war between the State and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), which led to countless allegations by many parties including the Tamil Diaspora, there seems be no one to pressure the international community to extend any support to Sri Lanka, and it is unfortunate. What is more unfortunate is the fact that, had the first international-level assistance, i.e. intelligence about the attacks, been properly taken into consideration, Sri Lanka would not be in this position today.
Also, it is the layman’s understanding that having a certain backing from the international community, especially when it comes to expediting or streamlining the investigations into the Easter Sunday attacks, would be of great importance, as the justice-seeking people’s patience is only going to wear thin with time.
Amidst myriad allegations, probes, and debates that are still continuing without significant outcome, as well as the fact that the Government’s enthusiasm that was at its peak before the presidential and general elections seems to have slowly ebbed away, the people, especially the country’s Catholic community, are wondering whether the deaths of hundreds of innocent people is not a good reason for more attention and action, both locally and internationally.
Colombo Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith has requested Sri Lankans to maintain a two-minute silence as the country commemorates the two-year anniversary of the Easter Sunday attacks today (21), while the international community’s silence continues indefinitely. However, silence, both literally and metaphorically, is no longer an option, and it is time that Sri Lanka quit resorting to blame games and prayers, and so too does the international community, by resorting to decisive and lawful interventions.Kapruka
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Discover Kapruka, the leading online shopping platform in Sri Lanka, where you can conveniently send Gifts and Flowers to your loved ones for any event. Explore a wide range of popular Shopping Categories on Kapruka, including Toys, Groceries, Electronics, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Automobile, Mother and Baby Products, Clothing, and Fashion. Additionally, Kapruka offers unique online services like Money Remittance, Astrology, Medicine Delivery, and access to over 700 Top Brands. Also If you’re interested in selling with Kapruka, Partner Central by Kapruka is the best solution to start with. Moreover, through Kapruka Global Shop, you can also enjoy the convenience of purchasing products from renowned platforms like Amazon and eBay and have them delivered to Sri Lanka.Send love straight to their heart this Valentine's with our thoughtful gifts!